Are the Letran Squires the next dynasty in NCAA juniors? Allen Ricardo answers

Published March 27, 2024 8:28pm

Updated March 27, 2024 8:28pm

The Letran Squires seized the NCAA Season 99 throne and the Muralla crew are eager to keep it that way for as long as they can. 

However, head coach Allen Ricardo isn’t looking that far as they would want to savor first their recent success that saw them overcome the gritty Perpetual Junior Altas to complete a back-to-back feat.

“Medyo mahirap ‘yang tanong pero sabi ko nga, panibagong taon na naman ‘yan so we’ll just enjoy this moment and then trabahuhin namin ulit,” Ricardo said when asked on his thought about a possible dynasty.

(That’s a hard question but just like what I said, it will be a new season so we’ll just enjoy this moment and work in again.)

Ricardo knows a third straight championship wouldn’t be a cakewalk.

After all, the Squires will bid goodbye to seven players, including key cogs in recently-crowned Finals MVP Titing Manalili and Mythical Five member George Diamante, as the two will move up to the senior ranks. 

Aside from the Manalili-Diamante tandem, other stars like Jovel Baliling, Jolo Navarro, Alex Gazzingan, Ric Golez, and David De Leon are also ending their high school stints. 

“Kailangan namin mag-recruit kasi pito ‘yung mawawala sa amin eh. Kailangan namin maghanap ng kapalit ng pito para maka-compete ulit ang Letran Squires going into Season 100,” Ricardo added. 

(We need to recruit because seven players will be out. We need to find replacements for them so the Squires can compete again in Season 100.)

But even with the exits of these players, Letran remains formidable come Season 100 with Syrex Silorio and Daniel Padilla tipped to lead the charge next season. 

Silorio was among the heroes for Letran in the finals series, detonating for 27 points in the title-clinching Game 3 win, where the 18-year-old forward also poured in six assists and five rebounds. 

Padilla was also a crucial piece to Letran’s system, averaging 10.15 markers, 2.69 rebounds, and 2.08 assists. 

—JKC, GMA Integrated News