Colegio de San Juan de Letran’s juniors basketball team is making a bold statement on the court with their uniform hairstyles.
From the players to the coaching staff, everyone on the team is rocking the buzz cut. This is not just a fashion statement but holds a deeper meaning.
According to Squires head coach Allen Ricardo, the buzz cut is a nod to the NCAA Season 76 Squires team which was coached by Jing Ruiz and had the same hairstyle. That legendary squad went on to win the championship with the help of players Jay-R Reyes, JC Intal, RJ Jazul, and Rey Guevarra.
This championship was Letran’s last in the juniors division, a fact that Coach Ricardo hopes to change by paying homage to the 2001 squad.
(C) Colegio de San Juan de Letran
“The last championship of the Letran juniors was in 2001, and all of them had buzz cuts. We decided to follow suit in the hopes of replicating their success,” Ricardo explained.
So far, the buzz cuts have proven to be a good luck charm for Letran, as they remain undefeated with a 2-0 record after the first week of the NCAA Juniors Basketball Tournament.
They started strong with a 91-86 win against San Sebastian College-Recoletos, followed by a 94-68 victory against the defending champions San Beda – Taytay.
Additionally, Ricardo dedicated Letran’s successful start to the late Terry Saldana, a former Squire who passed away at the age of 64 due to a kidney ailment. Saldana played for Letran in the late 1970s and was remembered as a key figure in the team’s history.
Yes, the buzz cut hairstyle at Letran is a symbol of unity and a tribute to the past. With the team off to a strong start, it is clear that the magic of the 2001 championship team is still alive and well.
