Revealed September 18, 2023 9:00pm
Up to date September 18, 2023 9:00pm
Key losses: Fran Yu, Louie Sangalang, Brent Paraiso, King Caralipio
Key holdovers: Kurt Reyson, Pao Javillonar, Kobe Monje, Kevin Santos
Season 98 file: 13-5 (Champions)
Within the upcoming NCAA Season 99, the mission is crystal clear for Colegio de San Juan de Letran: ship a uncommon four-peat.
That, nonetheless, is simpler stated than achieved, particularly with the Knights bidding goodbye to stars like Finals MVPs Fran Yu and King Caralipio and veterans Brent Paraiso, Louie Sangalang, and Tommy Olivario, who have been all important to their three-straight championship run.
However the Muralla crew, as evident of their earlier campaigns, is not more likely to have any scarcity in manpower after they look to make it 4 crowns in a row — a feat by no means achieved by Letran up to now.
Anticipated to steer the Knights this time round are sniper and staff captain Kurt Reyson, who dropped 10.4 factors, 4.2 rebounds, and a couple of.6 assists in Season 98 whereas enjoying alongside the likes of Caralipio, Paraiso, and Yu.
Reyson turned heads within the offseason competitions, steering Letran in its campaigns within the PBA D-League and the 2023 FilOil EcoOil Preseason Cup, which noticed them attain the semifinals and quarterfinals stage, respectively.
Becoming a member of Reyson on the forefront are veterans like Pao Javillonar (6.5 ppg and 5.3 rpg in 20 minutes per recreation) and Kobe Monje, who’re anticipated to step into greater roles this season.
The staff can even produce other holdovers in Kevin Santos, Rafael Go, Kyle Tolentino, Andrey Guarino, Kint Ariar, and Enrico Bojorcelo whereas finishing Letran’s squad are Deo Cuajao, Ken Brillantes, Nicko Fajardo, Jay Garupil, James Jumao-As, and Joseph Nunag.
Rensy Bajar, no stranger to successful as a longtime deputy to earlier coach Bonnie Tan, can even start his first head teaching stint.
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(Letran’s Kurt Reyson, NCAA Season 98. Picture: Angela Davocol)
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Reyson understands the stress that comes along with his appointment because the skipper, however the graduating guard stated they’ll simply take it one recreation at a time as they hope to retain the title in Intramuros.
“Sa akin naman, malaking problem ‘to na iniwan ng mga nagdala ng three-peat sa amin,” Reyson stated.
(“For me, this can be a massive problem left behind by those who delivered the three-peat.”)
“‘Yung stress naman ando’n naman lagi ‘yan so sa akin lang, hindi ko naman iniisip ‘yun kasi mawawala kami sa focus. Ang iniisip ko na lang is paano kami mananalo sa bawat laro.”
(“The stress is at all times going to be there. So for me, I do not give it some thought as a result of we’ll simply lose focus. What I am pondering of is how one can win every recreation.”)
NCAA Season 99 opens on September 24. Watch the video games stay on GTV.
—JMB, GMA Built-in Information
