LETRAN'S steady hand in the NCAA Season 101 juniors basketball finals is staying in blue-and-red, as Justin Cargo has committed to remain in Muralla.
Coach Allen Ricardo confirmed the development that the 6-foot playmaker from Negros Occidental remains well within the Knights' camp.
"Marami kaming guards, pero nakikita ko na iba si Justin. Yung maturity niya, kung paano siya mag-control ng laro, handa siya para sa college," the mentor shared with SPIN.ph, as Letran looks to avenge its runner-up finish come the Season 102 wars.
Cargo, 19, stabilized the Squires in their campaign, averaging 9.2 points, 6.0 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 1.5 steals in the eliminations.
He saved his best for last, hiking his numbers in the title series, including a 17-point, 14-rebound double-double in the title-clinching Game Two where he also had five assists and a steal to be hailed as Finals MVP.
For that, Cargo was recognized as the 16th-ranked player in the NBTC's annual list of the top 24 under-19 players in the Philippines.
Cargo loading
Also joining him in the move to the seniors squard is are a pair of other playmakers in 6-0 Daryl Valdeavilla and 5-10 JB Lim.
Valdeavilla, a former UP Integrated School standout, was likewise a key contributor in the Squires' title run, netting 5.6 points, 2.2 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and 1.1 blocks, including a superb Game One showing where he put up 19 points and seven boards,
Lim, on the other hand, is a former University of Santo Tomas Tiger Cub who then spent the past two years with St. Clare, becoming part the NAASCU Mythical Team last season.
It's going to be a big challenge for them, though, to prove themselves and fight for minutes, with Letran flaunting a loaded backcourt led by Titing Manalili and Jimboy Estrada.
Nonetheles, all three will be good to go for this year's Season 102 and will have full five years of eligibility.
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