Colegio de San Juan de Letran rediscovered its winning ways in the NCAA seniors’ basketball tournament, securing two victories in three games during the second week of Season 100 festivities.
Despite a setback against Mapua University on September 20, the Knights handled their next assignments.
They defeated Arellano University on September 17 before handing De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde its first loss of the season last Sunday.
At the forefront of Letran’s resurgence was veteran big man Pao Javillonar.
Entering the new season with renewed optimism, Javillonar delivered averages of 17.33 points, 6.0 rebounds, 0.67 steals, and 0.67 blocks in three games – after returning from an early-season two-game suspension.
“Bagong coach, bagong sistema,” he said. “Nagpapayat ako para mag-fit ako sa sistema. Yun yung unang ginawa ko. Kung ano rin yung mga ininject ni coach sa sistema, inabsorb ko lang. Marami kasi akong natutunan kay Coach Allen [Ricardo] eh.”
The 6-foot-6 Javillonar is also shooting 8-of-18 (44.4%) from beyond the arc so far, and his impressive performances earned him the Collegiate Press Corps NCAA Player of the Week, backed by Discovery Suites and World Balance, for the period of September 17 to 22.
(C) NCAA Images
“Iniisip lang namin na para ‘to sa mga pamilya namin, para sa Letran, at para ‘to sa future namin, kaya locked in talaga,” said the member of the Knights’ three-peat squad, who posted a career-high 28 points in his Season 100 debut against the Chiefs, along with eight rebounds, two blocks, and two steals in their 86-79 win.
Javillonar followed this with 11 points and seven rebounds in their 77-62 defeat to the Cardinals. Then he bounced back in their statement 71-69 win against the Blazers on Sunday with 13 points and three rebounds.
He also played a crucial role on defense, limiting CSB center and previous Player of the Week Allen Liwag to just 5-of-15 shooting from the field.
“Sa Letran kasi, yung level of basketball dapat highest performance eh, kaya ‘yun ‘yung binibigay namin,” said Javillonar, who bested teammate Jimboy Estrada, Mapua rookie Chris Hubilla, Arellano’s T-Mc Ongotan, and Lyceum ace John Barba for the weekly award.
Among the motivations for the fifth-year player, he said, is turning the Knights’ fortunes around, especially after the disappointing Season 99.
“Ang nag-motivate sa akin is yung nangyari nga last year. Gusto naming maging back on track, ibalik ‘yung legacy sa Letran,” said the 19th overall pick of Converge in the 2024 PBA Draft, noting their 2-16 record last year.
“Yung sa PBA, after muna ‘yun, ito muna. Ito yung magdi-dikta kung ano yung mangyayari sa future. Kung ano ‘yung nasa present, ‘yun ‘yung ginagawan ko ng paraan,” added Javillonar, who also vowed to live up to his responsibility as Letran’s co-team captain alongside fellow veteran Kobe Monje.
“Ako, vocal lang. Kailangan kong maging role model kasi ako yung team captain. ‘Di ko naman kailangan mag-score, ang kailangan is paano ko i-guide yung mga kasama ko.”
