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

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 keen to maintain it that means for so long as they will. 

However, head coach Allen Ricardo is not wanting that far as they might wish to savor first their latest success that noticed them overcome the gritty Perpetual Junior Altas to finish 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 stated when requested on his thought of a attainable dynasty.

(That’s a tough query however identical to what I stated, will probably be a brand new season so we’ll simply take pleasure in this second and work in once more.)

Ricardo is aware of a 3rd straight championship would not be a cakewalk.

After all, the Squires will bid goodbye to seven gamers, together with key cogs in recently-crowned Finals MVP Titing Manalili and Mythical Five member George Diamante, as the 2 will transfer as much as the senior ranks. 

Aside from the Manalili-Diamante tandem, different stars like Jovel Baliling, Jolo Navarro, Alex Gazzingan, Ric Golez, and David De Leon are additionally ending their highschool 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 must recruit as a result of seven gamers shall be out. We want to seek out replacements for them so the Squires can compete once more in Season 100.)

But even with the exits of those gamers, Letran stays formidable come Season 100 with Syrex Silorio and Daniel Padilla tipped to steer the cost subsequent season. 

Silorio was among the many heroes for Letran within the finals sequence, detonating for 27 factors within the title-clinching Game 3 win, the place the 18-year-old ahead additionally poured in six assists and 5 rebounds. 

Padilla was additionally an important piece to Letran’s system, averaging 10.15 markers, 2.69 rebounds, and a couple of.08 assists. 

—JKC, GMA Integrated News