AFTER leading the Letran Squires to two impressive championships in NCAA Seasons 98 and 99, coach Allen Ricardo was expected to have had a smooth sailing transition to the seniors ranks.
Right?
In the centennial season of the Grand Old League, though, that wasn't the case at all.
Ricardo recorded a 5-2 start to his collegiate coaching career before the proud program entrenched inside the walls of Intramuros dropped eight of its last 11 outings.
“I felt helpless, to be honest,” he admitted when SPIN.ph asked to look back at his first year at the helm.
“I felt helpless because iba ‘yung juniors going to the seniors. Sobrang dami kong nakuha na lessons doon sa mga nakalaban, doon sa nine teams.”
Letran wound up with a 8-10 standing and just outside of the playoff picture, despite scoring triumphs over the likes of Final Four squads Benilde, Lyceum, and archrival San Beda.
Rather than dwelling on the close but not quite, though, Ricardo and his wards wasted no time regrouping, especially having to bring in homegrown product Titing Manalili, talented transferees Jun Roque, Mark Denver Omega, and Peter Rosillo, and prized rookies Edry Alejandro and Chad Gammad into the fold.
READ: Titing-Jimboy 1-2 punch already looking like a knockout for Letran
Whether in pocket tournaments in Visayas and Mindanao or the Playtime Cares 18th Filoil EcoOil Preseason Cup, the Knights sharpened their swords, confident and capable they have fully aclimated to Ricardo's system in Year 2.
The result? Emerging as top seed in the NCAA Group, including ringing off six wins in a row and only falling toreigning league king Mapua among their familiar foes.
While they bowed to dogged and determined National U, the UAAP's No. 4, come the quarterfinals, Letran's campaign remains more than enough proof that it deserves to be seen as a championship contender alongside the reigning titlist Cardinals and runner-up Blazers.
Long way to go for Letran
Still, Ricardo was quick to temper expectations.
“We will take it one game at a time. Lalo siyempre, mabigat yung nangyari last year,” he said.
The good news is that the blue-and-red have much-welcome additions to toughen them up, as they move forward from last season's heartbreak.
READ: Letran legend Kojak Melegrito adds 'angas' to Knights bench
In school legend Kojack Melegrito and longtime St. Clare mentor Jinino Manansala, Ricardo expanded his braintrust with the hope of seeing his Knights charge right out of the gates in Season 101.
“Si Kojack, siya yung more on player development. Kasi si Kojack, alam mo naman yung personality nyan, yung toughness,” he said. “And of course, 'pag sinabi mong Letran, aggressiveness, toughness, physicality.”
With that, expect a more aggressive, tougher, and more physical Letran - also all the wiser from all its shortcomings a year ago.
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