It was just a year ago when Andrew Estrella was hoisting the UAAP Junior High School Boys’ Basketball trophy at the Filoil EcoOil Centre, leading the University of the East to its first basketball title in 39 years.
But now, Estrella finds himself in a familiar place on a different court.
This time, the youthful head coach has guided Colegio de San Juan de Letran to the NCAA Season 101 Juniors Basketball Finals, following a hard-fought three-game semifinal series against Emilio Aguinaldo College–Immaculate Conception Academy.
“Of course, very happy na nag-Finals pero job’s not finished. New chapter, new challenge,” said Estrella.
Estrella, however, is the first to admit the journey wasn’t easy.
It was only last July when he was tasked to replace Willie Miller as head coach of the Squires. Despite competing in preseason tournaments, it wasn’t until 20 days before the NCAA season opened that Estrella had a full roster, as trio Andwele Cabanero, Jhello Lumague, and Travis Pascual were still completing their duties with Gilas Boys.
“Ang kagandahan, of course, is that it’s a different division. Seniors high school na ito, hindi na yung junior high school,” said Estrella. “Different challenge talaga. Different story din.
“Unang-una, yung oras is medyo maikli, lalo yung preparation. Marami ring bago. Almost overhaul yung lineup. Time yung naging challenge dito.”
The group phase itself presented hurdles for the Squires.
Letran finished the first phase of the eliminations with a 3–1 record but went on a rocky 2–3 run in the crossover stage. The losses, however, forged a more cohesive unit, according to Estrella.
“Very challenging yung group phase. All of the teams dito, any team can beat any team. Very unpredictable yung results. Kahit yung other group, very unpredictable,” the champion mentor admitted.
“Mix of veterans and rookies siya. May mga galing Letran tapos mga iba galing UAAP. Tapos yung rookies namin mga bata talaga. Very challenging nung start talaga pero nakinig lahat.”
Led by Ethan Egea and Justin Cargo, Letran eventually found its rhythm, finishing the eliminations with a 7–6 record.
The playoffs were a true test of resilience.
Defending champion Perpetual Help tried to disarm Letran’s twice-to-beat edge in the quarterfinal opener, but the Squires escaped with a 70–65 victory to advance to the semifinals. There, they had to overcome the more experienced Brigadiers in a grueling three-game series.
Now, the Squires are in the finals — an unexpected run for Estrella.
“One game at a time pero yun talaga yung goal. Hindi naman ako nag-eexpect kaagad-agad since bago yung team. Grateful also to Boss Frank (Lao) and Boss Jacob (Lao) for giving us the right pieces,” he admitted.
“Yung chemistry-building at overall ng team, day-to-day yan. Every game at every practice binuo. Hindi ko siya inexpect pero nung nakukuha na namin yung wins at nagiging together na yung mga players, eyes on the prize.”
In the finals, they face a much more seasoned Arellano Braves team, led by presumptive MVP Sean Franco and nine other players born in 2006.
Despite having six 2009-born players in the Squires, Estrella believes that their system can overcome Arellano’s experience.
“Opposite namin yung Arellano. Matagal na magkakasama yan. It’s going to be a dogfight,” said Estrella.
“Ready kami sa kanila and I know, ready sila sa amin.”
