2019 Letran Knights basketball team

The 2019 Letran Knights men's basketball team represented Colegio de San Juan de Letran in the 95th season of the National Collegiate Athletic Association in the Philippines. The men's basketball tournament for the school year 2019-20 began on July 7, 2019, and the host school for the season was Arellano University.[1]

2019 Letran Knights men's basketball
NCAA Season 95 champions
Record
Elims rank #3
Final rank#1
2019 record16–7 (12–6 elims)
Head coachBonnie Tan (1st season)
Assistant coachesRaymund Tiongco
Eiven Lou Gatumbato
Gil Lumberio
Robert Joseph Guevarra
LA Tenorio
Rensy Bajar
CaptainJerrick Balanza (5th season)
Seasons
← 2018
2021 →

The Knights finished the double round-robin eliminations at third place with 12 wins against 6 losses. They then eliminated San Sebastian Stags in the first round of the stepladder semifinals[2] and went on to defeat the second seeded Lyceum Pirates in the next round to advance to the finals against the undefeated San Beda Red Lions.[3]

The Knights went on to defeat the Red Lions in three games to capture their 18th NCAA championship, their first since winning the title last 2015 when they also toppled San Beda in the finals. Point guard Fran Yu was named Finals Most Valuable Player and Most Improved Player of the season.[4]

Roster

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Letran Knights roster
Players Coaches
Pos. No. Nat. Name Height Year High School
C 1   Muyang, Larry L. 6'5" (1.96m) 2nd San Isidro High School
PG 3   Yu, Fran Louie Y. 5'10" (1.78m) 2nd Chiang Kai-shek College
PF 4   Ular, Renato T. 6'4" (1.93m) 2nd Padapada National High School
PF 5   Sangalang, Mark Louie 6'3" (1.91m) 2nd Academy of Queen Mary School Inc.
PG 6   Olivario, Tommy York G. 5'9" (1.75m) 3rd Colegio de San Juan de Letran
SG 7   Balanza, Jerrick G. (C) 6'2" (1.88m) 5th Colegio de San Juan de Letran
PG 8   Reyson, Kurt Spencer E. 5'10" (1.78m) 1st Colegio de San Juan de Letran
PF 9   Javillonar, Marc Paolo J. 6'6" (1.98m) 1st Nazareth School of National University
C 15   Balagasay, Christian L. 6'6" (1.98m) 5th Northridge Montessori School
PF 18   Ambohot, Jeo R. 6'7" (2.01m) 4th Agro-Industrial Foundation College of the Philippines
SG 20   Pambid, Gay Lord Jap M. 6'2" (1.88m) 3rd
SG 22   Mina, Allen Andrew R. 6'1" (1.85m) 1st Nazareth School of National University
SG 23   Batiller, Edson A. 6'0" (1.83m) 2nd
SF 27   Caralipio, King Deniell M. 6'2" (1.88m) 3rd San Pedro High School
PF 35   Guarino, Neil Andrey A. 6'6" (1.98m) 1st Colegio de San Juan de Letran
PG Reserved   Alferez, Richie P. 5'10" (1.78m)
PF Reserved   Bañez, Shamasneh B. 6'3" (1.91m) Chiang Kai-shek College
C Reserved   Vacaro, Lance Juviel M. 6'5" (1.96m) St. Benedict College of Cotabato
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)
  • Raymund Tiongco
  • Eiven Lou Gatumbato
  • Gil Lumberio
  • Robert Joseph Guevarra
  • LA Tenorio
  • Rensy Bajar
  • Jeff Napa (consultant)
Team manager
  • Waiyip Chong
  • Eric Ang

Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  •   Injured


Depth chart

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Pos. Starting 5 Bench 1 Bench 2
C Balagasay Muyang Javillonar
PF Ular Ambohot Guarino
SF Mina Caralipio Sangalang
SG Batiller Balanza Pambid
PG Reyson Yu Olivario


Coaching staff

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Head coach Jeff Napa formally part ways with Letran at the end of his three-year contract, who was then hired in the Philippine Basketball Association by NorthPort Batang Pier as an assistant coach.[5] On February 28, 2019, Letran officials formally named NorthPort Batang Pier team manager and former longtime Lyceum Pirates head coach Bonnie Tan as the Knights' new mentor.[6]

Joining Tan in the coaching staff are Raymund Tiongco, Eiven Gatumbato, Gil Lumberio, Letran Squires head coach RJ Guevarra, Diliman College Blue Dragons head coach Rensy Bajar, and PBA star LA Tenorio.[6][7]

Pre-season results

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2019 Filoil Flying V Preseason Premier Cup

Date Time Opponent Venue Result Record
Eliminations
May 7 3:15 p.m. JRU Heavy Bombers Filoil Flying V CentreSan Juan W 78–67 1–0
Game Highs: Points: Balanza – 25; Rebounds: Ular – 14; Assists: Balanza – 5


May 10 4:00 p.m. FEU Tamaraws Filoil Flying V CentreSan Juan W 75–70 2–0
May 12 2:00 p.m. NU Bulldogs Filoil Flying V CentreSan Juan W 76–69 3–0
May 17 2:00 p.m. Lyceum Pirates Filoil Flying V CentreSan Juan L 95–101 3–1
Game Highs: Points: Mina – 30; Rebounds: Sangalang – 6; Assists: Olivario – 4


May 20 4:00 p.m. EAC Generals Filoil Flying V CentreSan Juan W 79–77 4–1
Game Highs: Points: Mina – 17; Rebounds: Muyang – 11; Assists: Caralipio, Olivario – 3


May 25 2:00 p.m. Adamson Soaring Falcons Filoil Flying V CentreSan Juan L 85–89 4–2
June 10 4:00 p.m. Benilde Blazers Filoil Flying V CentreSan Juan W 74–62 5–2
Game Highs: Points: Ular – 18; Rebounds: Ular – 15; Assists: Olivario, Yu – 4
Advances to Quarterfinals
Quarterfinals
June 17 4:00 p.m. De La Salle Green Archers Filoil Flying V CentreSan Juan L 69–80 0–1

Times listed above are in UTC+08:00

2019 PBA D-League Aspirants Cup

Date Time Opponent Venue Result Record
Eliminations
Feb 28 Che'lu Bar and Grill Ynares Sports ArenaPasig L 94–96 0–1
Mar 5 AMA University Titans Paco Arena • Manila W 108–91 1–1
Mar 9 Batangas-EAC Generals Ynares Sports ArenaPasig W 115–73 2–1
Mar 18 McDavid Apparels Paco Arena • Manila W 89–64 3–1
Mar 26 Family Mart-Enderun Colleges JCSGO Gym • Quezon City W 77–70 4–1
Apr 3 Cignal-Ateneo Hawkeyes Ynares Sports ArenaPasig L 69–83 4–2
Apr 11 Ironcon-UST Growling Tigers Ynares Sports ArenaPasig W 114–101 5–2
Apr 23 Virtual Reality-St. Clare College JCSGO Gym • Quezon City W 91–90 6–2
May 2 Go For Gold-CSB Scratchers Ynares Sports ArenaPasig L 87–107 6–3

Times listed above are in UTC+08:00

NCAA Season 95 games results

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Elimination games were played in a double round-robin format. All games were aired on ABS-CBN Sports and Action, Liga, & iWantTFC.

Date Time Opponent Venue Result Record
First round of eliminations
Jul 7 2:00 p.m. Lyceum Pirates Mall of Asia ArenaPasay City L 80–84 0–1
Game Highs: Points: Balanza – 19; Rebounds: Ambohot – 10; Assists: Olivario – 7


Jul 12 2:00 p.m. Arellano Chiefs Filoil Flying V CentreSan Juan W 81–72 1–1
Game Highs: Points: Balanza – 31; Rebounds: Ambohot – 11; Assists: Yu, Olivario – 5


Jul 16 12:00 p.m. JRU Heavy Bombers Filoil Flying V CentreSan Juan W 55–43 2–1
Game Highs: Points: Batiller – 14; Rebounds: Muyang, Yu – 7; Assists: Batiller – 4


Jul 19 12:00 p.m. Perpetual Altas Filoil Flying V CentreSan Juan W 82–80OT 3–1
Game Highs: Points: Batiller – 22; Rebounds: Ambohot, Ular – 13; Assists: Balanza, Yu – 5


Jul 23 4:00 p.m. EAC Generals Filoil Flying V CentreSan Juan W 91–89 4–1
Game Highs: Points: Balanza – 22; Rebounds: Muyang – 10; Assists: Yu – 5


Jul 30 12:00 p.m. Mapúa Cardinals Filoil Flying V CentreSan Juan W 89–84 5–1
Game Highs: Points: Muyang – 24; Rebounds: Muyang – 9; Assists: Yu – 7


Aug 10 2:00 p.m. San Beda Red Lions Cuneta AstrodomePasay City L 66–70 5–2
Game Highs: Points: Balanza – 20; Rebounds: Ambohot – 9; Assists: Balanza – 5


Aug 20 12:00 p.m. San Sebastian Stags Filoil Flying V CentreSan Juan L 101–102OT 5–3
Game Highs: Points: Muyang – 32; Rebounds: Muyang – 18; Assists: Yu, Olivario – 4


Sep 6 12:00 p.m. Benilde Blazers Cuneta AstrodomePasay City W 88–64 6–3
Game Highs: Points: Balanza – 26; Rebounds: Ambohot – 9; Assists: Yu – 7
Tied at second place after 1st round (6 wins–3 losses)
Second round of eliminations
Sep 10 4:00 p.m. JRU Heavy Bombers Filoil Flying V CentreSan Juan W 81–61 7–3
Game Highs: Points: Ular – 17; Rebounds: Ular – 7; Assists: Yu – 5


Sep 13 2:00 p.m. Mapúa Cardinals Filoil Flying V CentreSan Juan L 101–105OT 7–4
Game Highs: Points: Yu – 23; Rebounds: Ular – 23; Assists: Balanza, Yu – 7


Sep 20 4:00 p.m. San Sebastian Stags Filoil Flying V CentreSan Juan W 99–82 8–4
Game Highs: Points: Muyang, Batiller – 15; Rebounds: Ular – 11; Assists: Yu – 6


Sep 24 2:00 p.m. Benilde Blazers Filoil Flying V CentreSan Juan W 87–74 9–4
Game Highs: Points: Ular – 20; Rebounds: Batiller, Caralipio, Ular – 8; Assists: Yu – 8


Sep 27 4:00 p.m. Lyceum Pirates Filoil Flying V CentreSan Juan L 90–97 9–5
Game Highs: Points: Reyson – 20; Rebounds: Batiller, Ular – 6; Assists: Balanza, Olivario – 8


Oct 1 2:00 p.m. San Beda Red Lions Filoil Flying V CentreSan Juan L 63–75 9–6
Game Highs: Points: Muyang – 13; Rebounds: Ambohot – 8; Assists: Muyang – 3


Oct 3 2:00 p.m. Arellano Chiefs Filoil Flying V CentreSan Juan W 97–84 10–6
Game Highs: Points: Batiller – 18; Rebounds: Ambohot, Caralipio – 8; Assists: Yu – 6


Oct 11 12:00 p.m. Perpetual Altas Filoil Flying V CentreSan Juan W 88–69 11–6
Game Highs: Points: Balagasay, Balanza – 18; Rebounds: Ular – 16; Assists: Ambohot, Yu – 4


Oct 17 2:00 p.m. EAC Generals Filoil Flying V CentreSan Juan W 87–79 12–6
Game Highs: Points: Muyang – 22; Rebounds: Muyang – 11; Assists: Batiller, Yu – 4
Third place at 12 wins–6 losses (6 wins–3 losses in the 2nd round)
First round of stepladder semifinals
Nov 5 4:00 p.m. San Sebastian Stags Cuneta AstrodomePasay City W 85–80 1–0
(13–6)
Game Highs: Points: Balanza – 15; Rebounds: Yu – 7; Assists: Balanza, Batiller, Ular – 4
Advanced to second round of stepladder semifinals
Second round of stepladder semifinals
Nov 8 4:00 p.m. Lyceum Pirates Cuneta AstrodomePasay City W 92–88 1–0
(14–6)
Game Highs: Points: Yu – 20; Rebounds: Muyang – 9; Assists: Batiller, Yu – 6
Advanced to Finals
Finals
Nov 12 4:00 p.m. San Beda Red Lions Mall of Asia ArenaPasay City W 65–64 1–0
(15–6)
Game Highs: Points: Batiller – 12; Rebounds: Muyang – 8; Assists: Yu – 6


Nov 15 4:00 p.m. San Beda Red Lions Mall of Asia ArenaPasay City L 76–79 1–1
(15–7)
Game Highs: Points: Yu – 23; Rebounds: Caralipio, Muyang – 10; Assists: Yu – 5


Nov 19 4:00 p.m. San Beda Red Lions Mall of Asia ArenaPasay City W 81–79 2–1
(16–7)
Game Highs: Points: Balanza – 27; Rebounds: Ular – 9; Assists: Yu – 7
Knights clinched 18th NCAA championship

Times listed above are in UTC+08:00

Source: Pong Ducanes, Imperium Technology

Awards

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Player Award
Bonbon Batiller Player of the Week — July 14–20
Jerrick Balanza Player of the Week — September 1–7
Fran Yu NCAA Finals Most Valuable Player
NCAA Most Improved Player


References

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  1. ^ "NCAA Season 95 to celebrate unity amid competition". Business World Online. July 1, 2019. Archived from the original on 2019-07-06. Retrieved July 23, 2021.
  2. ^ Isaga, JR (November 5, 2019). "Letran ousts gutsy San Sebastian in NCAA stepladder". Rappler. Archived from the original on 2020-10-28. Retrieved July 23, 2021.
  3. ^ Isaga, JR (November 8, 2019). "Letran survives Lyceum, sets NCAA Finals duel vs rival San Beda". Rappler. Archived from the original on 2020-09-25. Retrieved July 23, 2021.
  4. ^ Isaga, JR (November 19, 2019). "Letran ends San Beda reign, captures NCAA crown". Rappler. Archived from the original on 2020-10-22. Retrieved July 23, 2021.
  5. ^ Leongson, Randolph (January 11, 2019). "Jeff Napa parts ways with Letran Knights at end of three-year contract". SPIN.ph. Archived from the original on 2021-07-23. Retrieved July 23, 2021.
  6. ^ a b "Letran announces Bonnie Tan as new Knights head coach". Colegio de San Juan de Letran. February 28, 2019. Archived from the original on 2019-03-14. Retrieved July 23, 2021.
  7. ^ Aquino, Alyssa (December 12, 2019). "Coach Bonnie downed San Beda with the help of 'Super Friends'". The LANCE. Archived from the original on 2021-07-23. Retrieved July 23, 2021.