Letran coach Allen Ricardo through the NCAA Season 100 press convention at Mall of Asia Area.–MELO FUERTES/INQUIRER.web
MANILA, Philippines—Maybe no different crew has been coping with extra adversities forward of the NCAA Season 100 males’s basketball match than Letran.
With a brand new period below coach Allen Ricardo, the temper contained in the Knights’ camp ought to’ve been nothing however optimistic. Nevertheless, last-minute hiccups have dampened Letran’s expectations.
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For one, the Knights’ key veteran in Pao Javillonar is predicted to overlook at the very least three video games.
READ: San Beda begins title protection vs Lyceum to open NCAA Season 100
Javillonar, who was chosen by Converge on this yr’s PBA Draft, was sanctioned by the league for already suiting up with the FiberXers throughout an invitational match in Davao.
Attributable to his motion, the league at present has a three-game suspension in place for the graduating large man however Ricardo stated that they had already appealed to the league to decrease it to only one sport.
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“Hopefully, it [sanction] will get minimized to only one [game],” stated Ricardo at Mall of Asia Area on Tuesday through the league’s press convention.
With out anticipated rookie Titing Manalili in its lineup, new Letran coach Allen Ricardo talks concerning the Knights’ possibilities for #NCAASeason100. @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/nD7pHzkB17
— Rommel Fuertes Jr. (@MeloFuertesINQ) September 3, 2024
“I don’t simply see Pao as a scorer of the crew as a result of he additionally has a management [role] as a veteran.”
As if that wasn’t onerous sufficient for the cellar dweller crew of Season 99, their highly-touted rookie Titing Manalili from the Squires’ basketball program will miss the upcoming match resulting from an undisclosed harm.
“I assume he’ll have his operation by mid-September,” revealed Ricardo.
“I informed him that this season will come by quick and by January, he’ll come again stronger.”
Ricardo stored mum concerning the specifics surrounding Manalili’s harm however stated he sustained it whereas taking part in in an outdoor league not too way back.
READ: NCAA: Allen Ricardo focuses on constructing Letran Knights’ character
Manalili was final season’s Finals MVP when the Squires notched back-to-back titles on the expense of Perpetual Assist. He additionally performed important minutes with Robust Group Athletics within the forty third William Jones Cup in Taiwan.
Nevertheless, his companies should be placed on maintain for the Knights, who want to redeem themselves from a 2-16 report final yr.
Nonetheless, with two key cogs out of fee, Ricardo is taking “one sport at a time” in pursuit of Letran’s path again to glory.
“I really feel like we’re simply ranked from round sixth to tenth. There’s the defending champion San Beda, there’s Mapua, Lyceum, Faculty of St. Benidle, EAC and Arellano, who’ve all proven enhancements so we’ll simply take it one sport at a time.”
“We’ll take it one sport at a time. That’s all for now however I’m excited for Sunday. I’m assured with the boys.”
The Knights start their Season 100 marketing campaign on Sunday towards San Sebastian at San Juan Area.
