The Squires are back in the NCAA juniors basketball finals and they are hungry for more.
After getting their first title in more than 22 years in Season 98, Colegio de San Juan de Letran will have another shot for the crown as they face University of Perpetual Help System DALTA in the best-of-three finals which will start on Saturday.
Unlike last season where they finished on top of the standings, the Muralla-based squad placed second with seven wins and two losses, one of which was against rival San Beda University and the other against fellow final contenders Junior Altas.
How without Gemao
While the Squires have a relatively intact lineup with the likes of George Diamante, Titing Manalili, Daniel Padilla, Syrex Silorio, and Jovel Baliling coming back, one key loss from last season was the explosive guard Andy Gemao.
Gemao moved to the United States in pursuit of his basketball dream, but for Allen Ricardo, the loss of one is an opportunity for other members of his team.
"I guess marami rin nag-step up doon sa pagkawala ni Andy, which is nakita n'yo naman on how I rotated the boys. I always give opportunity to them, give and take kami. Tutulungan namin sila and tutulungan din nila kaming coaching staff," Ricardo previously said.
(I guess a lot stepped up in Andy's absence, and you saw how I rotated my boys. I always give opportunity to them, we're give and take. We will help them and they'll help us coaching staff.)
Diamonds in the rough
Indeed, a lot of Squires stepped up in Letran's title defense campaign.
Diamante has been one of the leaders of the Squires with 12.44 points, 9.0 rebounds, 3.56 assists, and 1.22 steals per game at the end of the elimination round. Joining him on top of Letran's stats leaders is Manalili with averages of 13.78 points, 3.78 rebounds, 6.56 assists, and 2.22 steals per game.
Players to watch out for as well include Baliling (10.44 points, 3,67 rebounds, 2.0 steals, and 1.67 assists per game) and Jolo Navarro (10.0 points, 7.78 rebounds, 1.22 steals per game). To complete the star-studded lineup, Padilla posted averages of 9.67 points, 2.33 rebounds, 1.78 assists and 1.33 steals per game.
However, Letran may bank on defense as they are second in the league in terms of assists, steals, and league leader in fastbreak points and turnover points.
The Squires may also get most of their offense from the bench as they lead in bench points.
The task against the Altas
Sure, the Squires are the defending champions, but the pressure of proving they are worthy of the title anew is on them.
In their elimination round faceoff, Letran lost to Perpetual, 94-88.
The Junior Altas outrebounded then the Squires, 48-39, and had more assists, 26-21.
Crucial in Perpetual's win was MVP frontrunner Amiel Acido who had 27 points, while Mark Gojo Cruz added 17 points.
Manalili and Baliling chipped in 21 points apiece for the Squires but Diamante was limited to six points as Navarro and Padilla had 19 and 15, respectively.
However, these are all just numbers.
Even Ricardo admitted their tough matchup against Perpetual.
"Mabigat kalaban ‘yung Pereptual, they are taller than us. So kailangan alamin namin lalo kung paano namin madedepensahan ‘yung Perpetual and then from there we’ll just keep the game close and then baka sa dulo may chances kami.
(Perpetual's a tough opponent, they are taller than us. So we need to know how to defend them and from there, we'll just keep the game close and perhaps we'll have a chance in the end.)
With Letran's winning culture also instilled into the team, expect a tough game as the Intramuros crew defends the fort.
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
