2025 Letran Knights basketball team

2025 Letran Knights men's basketball
NCAA Season 101 runner-up
Record
Elims rank #3
Final rank#2
2025 record12-7 (8-5 elims)
Head coachAllen Ricardo (2nd season)
Assistant coachesKris Reyes (First Assistant)
Rey Nambatac
Michael Buendia
Beaujing Acot
CaptainMark Omega (4th season)

The 2025 Letran Knights men's basketball team represented Colegio de San Juan de Letran in the 101st season of the National Collegiate Athletic Association in the Philippines. The men's basketball tournament for the school year 2025-26 began on October 1, 2025, and the host school for the season is Mapúa University.[1]

In a new tournament format introduced this season, the Knights were grouped alongside San Beda, CSB, JRU, and EAC.[2]

The Knights finished the elimination round at third place in Group B with 8 wins and 5 losses.[3] They returned to the Final Four after three years by defeating the Arellano Chiefs twice.[4]

The Knights returned to the Finals for the first time in three years after beating top-seed Perpetual Altas in two games.[5] However, they have failed to capture the title as the San Beda Red Lions defeat them in two games.[6]

Letran rookie guard Jonathan Manalili was named the Rookie of the Year, Freshman of the Year, and Mythical Five member, while veteran big man Kevin Santos bagged the All-Defensive Team and Mythical Five honors.[7]

Coaching changes

Added to the team's assistant coaches is former Letran Knight John Carl "Kojack" Melegrito. Melegrito last played for the Knights during the tenure of Louie Alas.[8]

Roster changes

The Knights lost several players from previous season. Pao Javillonar graduated from college, while Kobe Monje will be ineligible to play due to his age. Javillanor is playing for Converge FiberXers in the PBA, while Monje was drafted in the 2025 PBA draft.

Rafael Go, CJ Delfino, and Edzel Galoy decided to forewent their eligibilities to turn professional. Go and Delfino are playing for their respective teams in Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League,[9][10] while Galoy is playing for Taguig Generals in NBL-Pilipinas.[11]

Several key players from last season transferred to other schools. Filipino-American point guard Jace Miller decided to transfer to Lyceum of the Philippines University.[12] Another guard, ex-Tiger Cub James Jumao-as, decided to return to University of Santo Tomas after playing for the Knights in two seasons.[13] Joseph Nunag transferred to Emilio Aguinaldo College, while James Pradella and Mark Sarza both transferred to Centro Escolar University.

Among the rookies who will suit up for the Knights are Jonathan Manalili, Edry Alejandro, and Chad Gammad.

Manalili is a two-time NCAA Juniors Basketball champion from the Squires program. In NCAA Season 98, he averaged 16.08 points, 6.92 assists, 4.23 rebounds, and 2.46 steals per game. He was also named NCAA Finals MVP. Manalili was named the sixth best high school player for 2024 by the National Basketball Training Center.[14]

Alejandro is 6'4 forward who was one of the key pieces of the UE Junior Warriors' title run in UAAP Season 87. He averaged 9.21 points on 44-percent shooting, 9.8 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and 1.1 steals. Like Manalili, Alejandro was also in the Top 24 best high school players in 2024 by NBTC, ranking 14th.[14]

Chad Gammad is a Filipino-Canadian player who last played for Top Flight Hoops Canada in NBTC Division 2, where they won as champions. He was named in the Mythical team and averaged 31.2 points, including 44.2-percent from threes, 5.2 rebounds and 2.2 assists.[15]

Other rookies include Syrex Silorio and Lex Gazzingan also from the Squires, Joss Poli from Lyceum Junior Pirates program, Elijah Yusi from the Arellano Braves, and Edvil Mundas, one of the key players behind Davao Region’s historic gold medal win in secondary boys basketball at the 2025 Palarong Pambansa.[16][17]

Among the transferees who will play for the Knights are Mark Omega, Jun Roque, Peter Rosilio, Aaron Buensalida, and Luiz Tapenio.

Omega and Roque, who were also ex-Squires, both played as key players for the Perpetual Help Altas in NCAA Season 99. Roque was also recognized in that season, joining the Mythical team selection.[18][19]

Rosilio last played for the Mapúa Cardinals in NCAA Season 99. He averaged 4.41 points, 3.06 rebounds, and 1.39 assists and was one of the key pieces of the Cardinals' Finals run in that season.[20]

Buensalida last played for the De La Salle Green Archers in the UAAP for two seasons.[21]

Tapenio last played for the St. Clare Colleges Saints in NAASCU, where they won their sixth consecutive championship crown.[22]

Roster

Letran Knights roster
Players Coaches
Pos. No. Nat. Name Height Year High School
PF 6 Alejandro, John Edry Cyrehl A. 6'4" (1.93m) 1 University of the East
G 91 Baliling, Jovel 5'11" (1.8m) 2 Colegio de San Juan de Letran
F 14 Buensalida, Aaron James 6'5" (1.96m) 1 Nazareth School-NU
G 29 Cuajao, Vince Petdeo D. 6'1" (1.85m) 3 Holy Child College of Davao
G 26 Estrada, John Sherick 6'0" (1.83m) 2 St. Clare College Caloocan
G 1 Gammad, Lorge Reinier Chad B. 6'0" (1.83m) 1 A.R. MacNeill Secondary School
G 77 Gazzingan, Alexandrei 6'2" (1.88m) 1 Colegio de San Juan de Letran
PG 13 Manalili, Jonathan Moses 6'0" (1.83m) 1 Colegio de San Juan de Letran
PG 7 Montecillo, Nathaniel 5'9" (1.75m) 2 UP Integrated School
SG 28 Mundas, Edvil Christian 6'1" (1.85m) 1 Holy Child College of Davao
C 23 Omega, Mark Denver  (C) 6'5" (1.96m) 4 Colegio de San Juan de Letran
F 34 Poli, Joss Matthew 6'3" (1.91m) 1 Lyceum of the Philippines University
SF 0 Roque, Arthur II I. 6'4" (1.93m) 3 Colegio de San Juan de Letran
PG 11 Rosilio, Peter Ryle 5'10" (1.78m) 2 Adamson University
C 4 Santos, Kevin Kyle 6'6" (1.98m) 4 St. Augustine Institute of Pampanga
F 15 Silorio, Syrex June 6'3" (1.91m) 1 Colegio de San Juan de Letran
F 5 Tapenio, Luiz Gaveriel S. 6'2" (1.88m) 1 New Prodon Academy Valenzuela
G 18 Yusi, Elijah Ray 6'2" (1.88m) 1 Arellano University
Head coach
  • Joseph Allen Ricardo
Assistant coach(es)
  • Kristoffer Reyes (First Assistant)
  • Michael Gregg Buendia
  • Rey Benedict Nambatac
  • Beaujing Acot
  • John Carl Melegrito
  • Jinino Manansala
  • Bong Solian
  • Mac Villarba
  • Melo Banua
  • John Necesito
Strength & conditioning coach(es)
  • Brian Cay

Team Staff

  • Mark Anthony Guiao
Team manager
  • John Paul Beltrano
  • Seth Jarell Diamse (assistant)
  • Joshua Railey Motio (assistant)
Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • Injured


Depth chart

Pos. Starting 5 Bench 1 Bench 2
C Santos Omega Poli
PF Buensalida Tapenio Silorio
SF Cuajao Roque Gazzingan
SG Estrada Gammad Yusi
PG Manalili Rosilio Montecillo


NCAA Season 101 games results

Further information: NCAA Season 101 basketball tournaments

Elimination games are played in a revamped tournament format inspired by the NBA play-in tournament and the U.S. NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament. All games are aired on GTV and Heart of Asia Channel, and livestreamed via the Facebook pages and YouTube channels of NCAA Philippines and GMA Sports.

Date Time Opponent Venue Result Record
Eliminations
Oct 3 2:30 p.m. JRU Heavy Bombers Playtime Filoil Centre • San Juan L 69-73 0-1
Game Highs: Points: Estrada – 14; Rebounds: Santos – 11; Assists: Estrada – 4


Oct 5 2:30 p.m. San Beda Red Lions Playtime Filoil Centre • San Juan L 58-68 0-2
Game Highs: Points: Manalili – 13; Rebounds: Tapenio – 8; Assists: Manalili – 6


Oct 8 2:30 p.m Benilde Blazers Playtime Filoil Centre • San Juan L 80-95 0-3
Game Highs: Points: Manalili – 23; Rebounds: Manalili – 8; Assists: Manalili – 9


Oct 11 11:00 a.m. EAC Generals Mall of Asia Arena • Pasay W 84-80 1-3
Game Highs: Points: Cuajao – 23; Rebounds: Buensalida – 11; Assists: Manalili – 13


Oct 15 2:30 p.m. Perpetual Altas Playtime Filoil Centre • San Juan W 63-56 2-3
Game Highs: Points: Estrada – 23; Rebounds: Santos – 10; Assists: Manalili – 10


Oct 18 2:30 p.m. Lyceum Pirates Playtime Filoil Centre • San Juan W 95-93OT 3-3
Game Highs: Points: Santos – 16; Rebounds: Santos – 11; Assists: Manalili – 15


Oct 21 11:00 a.m. Mapúa Cardinals Playtime Filoil Centre • San Juan W 85-82OT 4-3
Game Highs: Points: Estrada – 20; Rebounds: Buensalida – 10; Assists: Manalili – 10


Oct 26 2:30 p.m. Arellano Chiefs Playtime Filoil Centre • San Juan W 83-65 5-3
Game Highs: Points: Santos – 19; Rebounds: Omega – 12; Assists: Manalili – 11


Oct 29 11:00 a.m. San Sebastian Stags Playtime Filoil Centre • San Juan L 81-82 5-4
Game Highs: Points: Manalili – 26; Rebounds: Manalili – 10; Assists: Manalili – 5


Nov 8 11:00 a.m. JRU Heavy Bombers Playtime Filoil Centre • San Juan W 85-71 6-4
Game Highs: Points: Estrada – 20; Rebounds: Omega, Santos – 7 each; Assists: Manalili – 9


Nov 14 12:00 p.m. Benilde Blazers Playtime Filoil Centre • San Juan L 74-80 6-5
Game Highs: Points: Manalili – 16; Rebounds: Buensalida – 8; Assists: Estrada – 8


Nov 16 2:30 p.m. EAC Generals Playtime Filoil Centre • San Juan W 82-73 7-5
Game Highs: Points: Roque – 15; Rebounds: Omega – 9; Assists: Manalili – 9


Nov 23 2:30 p.m. San Beda Red Lions Playtime Filoil Centre • San Juan W 87-83 8-5
Game Highs: Points: Manalili – 26; Rebounds: Omega, Santos – 6 each; Assists: Manalili – 11
3rd place in Group B with 8 wins–5 losses
Quarterfinals[a]
Nov 26 11:00 a.m. Arellano Chiefs Playtime Filoil Centre • San Juan W 87-78 9-5
Game Highs: Points: Estrada – 22; Rebounds: Buensalida – 10; Assists: Manalili – 9


Nov 28 2:30 p.m. Arellano Chiefs Playtime Filoil Centre • San Juan W 77-69 10-5
Game Highs: Points: Estrada – 19; Rebounds: Buensalida, Santos – 8 each; Assists: Manalili – 12
Letran wins series in two games
Final Four[b]
Dec 2 11:00 a.m. Perpetual Altas Araneta Coliseum • Quezon City W 77-73 11-5
Game Highs: Points: Estrada, Manalili – 15 each; Rebounds: Santos – 10; Assists: Manalili – 8


Dec 5 2:30 p.m. Perpetual Altas Mall of Asia Arena • Pasay W 74-70 12-5
Game Highs: Points: Manalili – 16; Rebounds: Buensalida – 6; Assists: Manalili – 14
Letran wins series in two games
Finals
Dec 10 2:00 p.m. San Beda Red Lions Araneta Coliseum • Quezon City L 70-89 12-6
Game Highs: Points: Manalili – 17; Rebounds: Santos – 10; Assists: Manalili – 5


Dec 13 2:00 p.m. San Beda Red Lions Araneta Coliseum • Quezon City L 71-83 12-7
Game Highs: Points: Manalili – 15; Rebounds: Omega – 8; Assists: Manalili – 7
Letran lost series in two games

Times listed above are in UTC+08:00

Notes:
  1. ^ Arellano held a twice-to-beat advantage over Letran
  2. ^ Best-of-three series

Awards

Player Award
Jonathan Manalili NCAA Freshman of the Year
NCAA Rookie of the Year
NCAA Mythical Five member
Kevin Santos NCAA All-Defensive Team
NCAA Mythical Five member

References

  1. ^ Li, Matthew (July 8, 2025). "NCAA 101 ushers in new era with group stages, play-ins, expanded playoffs". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved September 25, 2025.
  2. ^ Jacinto, Christian (August 29, 2025). "Letran, Benilde, San Beda all together in NCAA 101 group of death". SPIN.ph. Retrieved September 30, 2025.
  3. ^ Anzures, Rom (November 23, 2025). "NCAA: Titing Manalili takes charge as Letran stuns San Beda". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved November 27, 2025.
  4. ^ Jacinto, Christian (November 28, 2025). "Letran completes NCAA semis cast by eliminating Arellano". SPIN.ph. Retrieved November 28, 2025.
  5. ^ Riego, Normie (December 5, 2025). "Letran goes on rumbling rally vs Perpetual all the way to finals return". SPIN.ph. Retrieved December 5, 2025.
  6. ^ Anzures, Rom (December 13, 2025). "NCAA: San Beda deals rival Letran heartbreak for Season 101 championship glory". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved December 13, 2025.
  7. ^ Anzures, Rom (December 13, 2025). "NCAA: Liwag crowned back-to-back MVP, Manalili is Rookie of the Year". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved December 13, 2025.
  8. ^ Bergado, Gwen (July 10, 2025). "Letran legend Kojak Melegrito adds 'angas' to Knights bench". SPIN.ph. Retrieved September 26, 2025.
  9. ^ "MPBL: Mindoro Tamaraws get back on track with win over Marikina". SPIN.ph. May 1, 2025. Retrieved September 30, 2025.
  10. ^ "Gritty Caloocan survives Pampanga". Daily Tribune. May 21, 2025. Retrieved September 30, 2025.
  11. ^ Terrado, Reuben (August 25, 2025). "Galoy hits game-winner as Taguig beats Tikas in NBL finals Game 3". SPIN.ph. Retrieved September 30, 2025.
  12. ^ Ganglani, Naveen (May 1, 2025). "Jace Miller Transfers to Lyceum After Promising Year with Letran". All-Star Magazine. Retrieved September 26, 2025.
  13. ^ Dongiapon, Rob Andrew (June 10, 2025). "Ex-Tiger Cub James Jumao-as returns to UST after Letran exit". The Varsitarian. Retrieved September 26, 2025.
  14. ^ a b Anzures, Romwel (March 7, 2024). "Jared Bahay, Kieffer Alas headline NBTC 2024's Top 24". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved September 26, 2025.
  15. ^ "Letran bags Fil-Canadian NBTC standout Chad Gammad". SPIN.ph. April 6, 2025. Retrieved September 26, 2025.
  16. ^ Saberon-Abalayan, Marianne (June 6, 2025). "Davao Eagles standout Mundas joins Letran Knights after Palaro gold win". SunStar. Retrieved September 26, 2025.
  17. ^ Micaller, Bea (September 29, 2025). "NCAA Season 101 Group B Preview: Letran, Benilde, EAC, JRU, San Beda". GMA News. Retrieved September 30, 2025.
  18. ^ Micaller, Bea (April 24, 2024). "Jun Roque transfers to Letran after two-year stint with Perpetual". GMA News. Retrieved September 26, 2025.
  19. ^ Micaller, Bea (February 5, 2024). "Shawn Umali commits to transfer to Benilde; Mark Denver Omega comes home to Letran". GMA News. Retrieved September 26, 2025.
  20. ^ Li, Matthew (February 5, 2024). "Peter Rosillo transfers from Mapua to Letran". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved September 26, 2025.
  21. ^ Ganglani, Naveen (July 2, 2024). "Aaron Buensalida departs La Salle, joins Letran Knights in NCAA". All-Star Magazine. Retrieved September 26, 2025.
  22. ^ "St. Clare Saints clinch sixth straight NAASCU men's basketball crown". Fastbreak.com.ph. December 13, 2023. Retrieved September 26, 2025.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is available under Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 unless otherwise noted. Additional terms may apply for the media files.