The Letran Squires basketball is the high school boys' basketball program of the Colegio de San Juan de Letran. The Squires have won 14 championships since joining the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).
| Letran Squires | |
|---|---|
 | |
| University | Colegio de San Juan de Letran |
| Founded | 1924 |
| History | Letran Squires (1928–present) |
| Head coach | Willie Miller (1st season) |
| Location | Intramuros, Manila |
| Nickname | Squires |
| Colors | Blue and Red |
| NCAA Champion | |
| |
History
editPre-war: Letran's first three-peat
editAfter Letran joined the NCAA in 1924, they have won its first NCAA crown in 1928, then known as the midget basketball championship. Letran then retained the crown in 1929 and in 1930. It was Letran's first Grand Slam. It again won in 1932, now the regular junior basketball championship.[1]
After the war
editIn 1948 season, Letran capped its 5th juniors basketball title under head coach Angel de Leon. Nine years later, in 1957 they have captured their 6th title under head coach Luis Tabuena and the team was bannered by Miguel de la Concepcion.[1]
Letran would not win a juniors title again until 1975 which was bannered by Richard Young.[1]
Double championships and subsequent titles
editIn 1979, the Squires, bannered by Terry Saldaña and mentored under head coach Larry Albano, won its 8th juniors title and at the same time Letran won its very first double championship together with their seniors' counterpart. Another double championship celebration was held when the Squires won its 9th title in 1983 under head coach Freddie Reyes and bannered by Gene Afable and Gido Babilonia.
| Letran Squires 1979–80 NCAA Juniors Basketball Champions |
|---|
| Terry Saldaña · Jerry Palma · Carlito Mamangon · Robert Villalon · Peter Serrano · Willy Del Castillo · Samuel Sison · Jerry Gonzalez · Joselito Navales · Jojo Cuison · Enrico Cruz · Dennis Lee · Rolando Manhilot |
| Head coach: Larry Albano |
In 1984, however, they have failed to defend their title as they have lost to Trinity College Baby Stallions. The team was bannered by Babilonia and Alfrancis Chua. In 1985, Babilonia and Chua successfully reclaimed the championship for the Squires before they transferred to UST to play college basketball for the Glowing Goldies.[2] In 1990, under head coach Mollet Pineda, the Squires have captured another juniors title after five years. The team was bannered by Chris Cantonjos. The following year, Letran returned its juniors championship trophy after a player was found to be ineligible.[3]
| Letran Squires 1983–84 NCAA Juniors Basketball Champions |
|---|
| Marlon Bolabola · Elmer Bolabola · Jun Novela · Gene Afable · Mady Tabora · Glenn Lazarte · Fritz Webb · Gido Babilonia · Joseph Oba · Jojo Cuison · Eric Enad · Fernando Libed · Glenn Holgaza |
| Head coach: Fred Reyes |
| Letran Squires 1990–91 NCAA Juniors Basketball Champions |
|---|
| Francis Arabit · Long David · Danny Salamat · Jess Pangilinan · Raymond Novela · Chris Cantonjos · Vimbie Avila · Jeff Quiamco · Paul Guerrero · Danny Almendra · Rudolph Santos · Gian Paulo Evidente · Alvin Magpantay |
| Head coach: Mollet Pineda |
2000s: One more title and post-championship frustrations
editThe Squires once again would not win a juniors title. In 2000 season, they swept the eliminations, clinching a 14-0 sweep, only to be frustrated in two games by 2nd-seed Mapua Red Robins in the Finals.[4]
In 2001, bannered by Jay-R Reyes and JC Intal, successfully captured the NCAA juniors championship by beating the San Beda Red Cubs in three games. Leland Ronquillo won Finals MVP honors.[4]
| Letran Squires 2001–02 NCAA Juniors Basketball Champions |
|---|
| Edward Anguista · Mark Balneg · Rico Carino · OJ Cua · Dax Dacanay · Argie De Rama · Rey Guevarra · JC Intal · Brian Javier · RJ Jazul · Juanito Quiamco III · Jay-R Reyes · Leland Ronquillo · Joseph Samson |
| Head coach: Jing Ruiz |
In 2002, Squires stars Jay-R Reyes and JC Intal decided to pursue their college basketball careers in the UAAP. Reyes went to UP, while Intal joined Ateneo. The Squires managed to go back in the Finals, but they were beaten in two games by last year's runner-ups San Beda Red Cubs.
In 2003, the Squires finished at 2nd place in standings, but got eliminated by the third-seed Mapua Red Robins in the stepladder semi-finals. The team was bannered by Jeff Morial and Lucas Tagarda.
In 2004, the Squires successfully barged into the Finals. However, they were beaten by the San Beda Red Cubs in three games.[5][6]
In 2005, the Squires finished 3rd place in the elimination rounds with 8 wins and 4 losses. However, a protest filed by San Beda forced them to forfeit all of their games and disqualified to compete in the Final Four after third-year point guard Lester Alvarez was found out having played in an inter-city league while the tournament is on going.[7] The following season, they would finished winless.
2020-present: COVID-19 pandemic and back to championship form
editWhen the Philippines was hit by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the NCAA Management Committee decided to suspend the 95th season to an indefinite halt.[8] The following season, no contact sports, including basketball and volleyball, were held.[9]
The juniors basketball tournament returned in February 2023. The Letran Squires finally ended their 22-year championship drought by beating LSGH in two games. Squires star Andy Gemao was awarded Finals MVP and Mythical Five, while big man George Diamante clinched Defensive Player of the Year plum and was included in the All-Defensive Team. With the win, Letran achieved a rare double championship together with the Knights since 1983.[10] After the season, Gemao decided to leave Letran to pursue his basketball career in the United States.[11]
In 2024, the Squires successfully defended their title by beating Perpetual in three games. Moses Manalili bagged the Finals MVP award, while George Diamante once again clinched another Defensive Player of the Year award and All-Defensive Team. After the tournament, head coach Allen Ricardo was named the interim coach of the Letran Knights.[12] Two months later, Ricardo was officially named head coach of the Knights, while former PBA player and alumnus Willie Miller was tasked to mentor the Squires.[13]
| Letran Squires 2022–23 NCAA Juniors Basketball Champions |
|---|
| Arwin Alforque · Emmanuel Anabo · Jovel Baliling · Ian Cuajao · Nurjadden Datumalin · George Diamante · Charles Dural · Andy Gemao · Justine Hugo · Moses Manalili · Paolo Moreno · Jolo Navarro · Daniel Padilla · Dwayne Paguio · Jhazel Paguligan · Sebastian Reyes · Timothy Reyes · Syrex Silorio |
| Head coach: Allen Ricardo |
| Letran Squires 2023–24 NCAA Juniors Basketball Champions |
|---|
| Arwin Alforque · Jovel Baliling · Timothy Cruz · Jashlie De Leon · Jhuniel Dela Rama · George Diamante · Alex Gazzingan · Thirdie Golez · Justine Hugo · Moses Manalili · Jolo Navarro · Daniel Padilla · Dwayne Paguio · Daniel Quijada · Adrian Quiñones · Sebastian Reyes · Syrex Silorio · Ricardo Sumagang · Rex Villanueva |
| Head coach: Allen Ricardo |
Season-by-season records
edit| Champion | Runner-up | Third place |
Pre-Final Four era
edit| Year | Overall standings | Playoffs result | Coach | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Finish | GP | W | L | |||
| 1928 | Won midgets tournament | |||||
| 1929 | Won midgets tournament | |||||
| 1930 | Won midgets tournament | |||||
| 1932 | Four-way-tie with Ateneo, La Salle, and Institute of Accounts | |||||
| 1948 | Angel De Leon | |||||
| 1957 | Luis Tabuena | |||||
| 1979 | Larry Albano | |||||
| 1983 | Fred Reyes | |||||
| 1985 | ||||||
| 1990 | Won both pennants, automatic won title | Mollet Pineda | ||||
Final Four era
edit| Season | Eliminations | Playoffs | Awards | Head coach | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Finish | GP | W | L | PCT | ||||
| 2000 | 1st/8 | 14 | 14 | 0 | 1.000 | Lost Finals (Mapua 0-2) | Ronjay Enrile (Rookie of the Year) | Jing Ruiz |
| 2001 | 1st/8 | 14 | 12 | 2 | .857 | Won semifinals (Mapua) Won Finals (San Beda 2-1) |
Jay-R Reyes (Season MVP, Rookie of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year, Mythical Five) JC Intal (Mythical Five) Leland Ronquillo (Finals MVP) | |
| 2002 | 2nd/8 | 14 | Won Stepladder Round 2 (Mapua 90-78) Lost Finals (San Beda 0-2) |
OJ Cua (Season MVP, Mythical Five, Most Improved Player) PJ Walsham (Rookie of the Year) | ||||
| 2003 | 2nd/8 | 14 | 11 | 3 | .786 | Lost Stepladder Round 2 (Mapua 60-76) | Jeff Morial (Mythical Five) Marlon Bituin (Mythical Five) |
Elmer Latonio |
| 2004 | 2nd/8 | 14 | Won semifinals (PCU 78-68) Lost Finals (San Beda 1-2) |
Jeff Morial (Mythical Five) Marlon Bituin (Mythical Five) | ||||
| 2005 | 8th/8 | 14 | 0 | 12 | .000 | Disqualified | Darell Green (Defensive Player of the Year, Mythical Five) | |
| 2006 | 8th/8 | 14 | 0 | 12 | .000 | — | Julius Wong (Mythical Five) | |
| 2007 | 2nd/6 | 10 | 7 | 3 | .700 | Won semifinals (San Beda 86-96,96-92) Lost Finals (San Sebastian 0-2) |
JM Noble (Mythical Five) | |
| 2008 | 2nd/7 | 12 | 9 | 3 | .750 | Won stepladder Round 2 (JRU 94-93) Lost Finals (San Sebastian 0-2) |
Jarelan Tampus (Rookie of the Year, Mythical Five) Glenn Khobuntin (Mythical Five) | |
| 2009 | T-1st/10 | 18 | 17 | 1 | .944 | Won semifinals (San Sebastian 89-84) Lost Finals (San Beda 1-2) |
Jarelan Tampus (Mythical Five) Glenn Khobuntin (Mythical Five) | |
| 2010 | T-4th/9 | 16 | 9 | 7 | .563 | Won 4th/5th-seed playoff (JRU 87-73) Won 4th-seed playoff (LSGH 91-85) Lost semifinals (San Beda 80-92) |
Rey Nambatac (Rookie of the Year, Mythical Five) | Monch Gavieres |
| 2011 | 2nd/10 | 18 | 14 | 4 | .778 | Lost stepladder Round 2 (LSGH 91-101) | Rey Nambatac (Season MVP, Mythical Five) Ivan Villanueva (Mythical Five) Aldrin Serafica (Mythical Five) | |
| 2012 | T-3rd/10 | 18 | 13 | 5 | .722 | Lost 3rd-seed playoff (LSGH 70-75) Lost semifinals (San Beda 57-61) |
Bong Quinto (Season MVP, Rookie of the Year) Rey Nambatac (Mythical Five) | |
| 2013 | 6th/10 | 18 | 8 | 10 | .444 | — | Junjie Ablan | |
| 2014 | 3rd/10 | 18 | 13 | 5 | .722 | Lost semifinals (San Beda 64-70) | ||
| 2015 | 6th/10 | 18 | 6 | 12 | .333 | — | Raymund Tiongco | |
| 2016 | 6th/10 | 18 | 7 | 11 | .389 | — | ||
| 2017 | T-3rd/10 | 18 | 11 | 7 | .611 | Lost semifinals (Malayan 80-82) | Raymond Valenzona | |
| 2018 | 9th/10 | 18 | 4 | 14 | .222 | — | ||
| 2019 | 7th/10 | 18 | 8 | 10 | .444 | — | Shawn Umali (All-Defensive Team) | |
| 2020 | Cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic | Robert Joseph Guevarra | ||||||
| 2021 | No juniors basketball tournament due to the COVID-19 pandemic | — | ||||||
| 2023[a] | 1st/10 | 9 | 8 | 1 | .889 | Won semifinals (Malayan 83-78) Won Finals (LSGH 2-0) |
Andy Gemao (Finals MVP, Mythical Five) George Diamante (Defensive Player of the Year, All-Defensive Team) |
Allen Ricardo |
| 2024 | 2nd/10 | 9 | 7 | 2 | .778 | Won semifinals (San Sebastian 91-77) Won Finals (Perpetual 2-1) |
Moses Manalili (Finals MVP) George Diamante (Defensive Player of the Year, All-Defensive Team) | |
| 2025 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Willie Miller |
Notes:
- ^ Starting 2022-23 season, jrs basketball will be played in second semester
References
edit- ^ a b c "Sports in Letran - Through the Years". letran.edu.ph. Archived from the original on October 3, 2011. Retrieved August 22, 2024.
- ^ Talao, Tito (February 15, 2018). "Letran Knights welcome a former Squire". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved August 22, 2024.
- ^ Quilala, Gester Jeff (June 2005). "A Knight's Tale". The LANCE. Archived from the original on September 8, 2008. Retrieved August 23, 2024.
- ^ a b "Amazing Squires' tale of triumph". Philstar Global. October 6, 2001. Retrieved August 22, 2024.
- ^ Hernandez, Rian Jay (September 23, 2004). "Squires steal Game Two in NCAA juniors' tournament". ABS-CBN Pinoy Central. Archived from the original on February 8, 2005. Retrieved August 22, 2024.
- ^ Payo, Jasmine (September 23, 2004). "Dolphins bag first NC crown". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved August 22, 2024.
- ^ "Letran Knights Back in the Finals!". NCAA.org.ph. September 9, 2005. Archived from the original on February 12, 2006. Retrieved August 22, 2024.
- ^ Giongco, Mark (March 9, 2020). "NCAA Season 95 suspended indefinitely, possibly terminated over virus". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved August 24, 2024.
- ^ Lozada, Bong (June 11, 2021). "No contact sports for NCAA Season 96". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved August 24, 2024.
- ^ Cruz, Zachi (March 16, 2023). "NCAA 98: Squires end 22-year drought, give Letran rare 'double'". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved August 24, 2024.
- ^ Micaller, Bea (September 20, 2023). "Letran HS star Andy Gemao set to fly for tryout in US school". GMA News. Retrieved August 24, 2024.
- ^ Li, Matthew (February 16, 2024). "Letran Stays in the Family: Allen Ricardo named interim Knights head coach". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved August 24, 2024.
- ^ Anzures, Rom (May 30, 2024). "NCAA: Letran officially names Allen Ricardo as Knights' head coach, Willie Miller to lead the Squires". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved August 24, 2024.