Colegio de San Juan de Letran has been on a roll recently in the NCAA Season 98 Juniors Basketball Tournament, posting back-to-back double-digit wins against the Jose Rizal University and Lyceum-Taytay.
This came after a wake-up call loss against Arellano University, which according to the team’s head coach, Allen Ricardo, served as a big realization for the players.
“They realize it’s not just basketball here, it’s their future, and nakasalalay sa kanila dito going to the next level which is college and, eventually, the pros,” Ricardo told Tiebreaker Times, adding that he is grateful to Frank Lao for his unwavering support for the team through thick or thin.
“Sinasanay ko na sila how to become professional on all aspects on and off the court.”
However, the road ahead for the Squires remains a challenge, as they face what is arguably the toughest remaining schedule in the league.
Their next opponent on Friday is La Salle Green Hills, which is currently the hottest team in the league and boasts an imposing duo of Luis Pablo and Seven Gagate.
Pablo is averaging 15.43 points and 11.36 rebounds while Gagate has norms of 14.43 points and 10.86 rebounds per contest.
For Letran’s head coach, they have to be ready for a highly physical game against La Salle, emphasizing that they need to limit the other guards while containing both Pablo and Gagate.
“Malakas yung La Salle lalo na with twin towers [Manuel] Pablo and [Seven] Gagate. The challenge is how are we going to limit the other guards,” he said.
Both the Squires and the Greenies had the best offense in the league with the former leading in points per game with 91.71, while the latter is at second with 82.86 per contest.
La Salle is the league leader with starter points averaging 59.29 per game, while Letran on the other hand leads the league in bench production with 51.29.
To face the challenge ahead, Ricardo emphasized the importance of his bench mob, consisting of Daniel Padilla, Jolo Navarro, Justine Hugo, Arwin Alforque, June Silorio, Jovel Baliling, and Emman Anabo.
They need to be the ones to support the consistents, namely Andy Gemao, Jonathan Manalili, and George Diamante.
As the season progresses, it remains to be seen whether the Letran Squires can continue their dominant run and maintain their momentum against tough opponents.
But with their newfound realization and a coach who’s committed to their professional development on and off the court, they are surely on the right track to success.
