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What a difference almost two years can make.

Back in 2019, the Colegio de San Juan de Letran Knights was not highly favored to advance to the Finals, much more win the championship, of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).

But the Knights exceeded expectations to finish the eliminations with a 12-6 win-loss slate.

Letran outlasted the San Sebastian Stags and two-time finalist, the Lyceum Pirates, in a grueling stepladder semifinals format to advance to the Finals.

Waiting for the Knights was the defending champion, San Beda University Red Lions, the team that dominated the elimination round to finish with an undefeated 18-0 record.

Letran took Game 1 with a slim 65-64 victory, shattering San Beda's cloak of invincibility. But the defending champions bounced back with a 79-76 win in Game 2 to set the stage for a do-or-die Game 3.

In the end, the Knights survived the Red Lions, 81-79, to take home the title for Season 95, completing one of the most memorable and thrilling upsets in NCAA history.

Heading to Season 96

Photo by: Bonnie Tan (Facebook)

Fast forward to today and Letran is among the pre-season favorites to enter the Final Four and the Finals to defend its crown.

The team fortified its line-up with key additions Joseph Brutas, Kenny Rogers Rocacurva, Jay Pangalanan, and returning forward Christian Fajarito.

Meanwhile, key off-season recruits Brent Paraiso, Ira Bataller, and Rhenz Abando from the University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers are expected to boost the team's future beyond the upcoming season.

Active off the court

In the meantime, the players are stuck in their homes unable to practice as a unit and play competitive basketball because of the pandemic.

The players keep themselves busy by following home workouts and drills given by the coaches to help them maintain fitness.

They also found more time to engage in their hobbies outside of basketball.

Photo by: fran_tastic16 (IG)

Season 95 Finals MVP, Fran Yu, sells and delivers homemade mango graham ref cake and Oreo graham ref cake to customers for extra income.

“Nagtinda po ako ng graham [desserts] dito sa lugar namin. Kumita naman po tsaka nakatulong po ako sa family [ko]. Tsaka nagkaroon po ng pang gastos ngayon pandemic,” the explosive point guard said.

Center Larry Muyang, meanwhile, enjoys taking care of his pet lovebirds in his hometown in Pampanga.

Photo by: Lars Lopez Muyang (Facebook)

“Nasa singkwenta na po yata,” Larry said on his growing number of lovebirds.

“Dati po mga kalapati ang hilig ko tapos dumating po 'yong lovebirds.”

Other players like point guard Gay Lord Jap Pambid, shooting guards Allen Mina, Rhenz Abando, and Joseph David Brutas entertain themselves by playing mobile games.

Joseph mentioned Call of Duty and League of Legends as his favorite games.

Photo by: paojavillonar9 (IG)

Meanwhile, Marc Paolo Javillonar and Jimly Lantaya found their groove in the kitchen and loves to cook at home during their spare time.

Marc is also fond of the outdoors and loves going around on his bicycle for fun and adventure.

Kapuso muse

The team, of course, is raring to go back to the court to do what they do best: playing basketball.

It was announced in November of last year that the NCAA had chosen GMA Network as its official broadcasting partner to air its games.

Holding the games in a bubble setup for Season 96 is a big possibility to ensure the safety of the players, coaches, team officials, and school representatives.

Still, we're curious to know who among the Kapuso stars they would like to see as team muse on opening day.

Eat Bulaga co-host Maine Mendoza, singer-actress Julie Ann San Jose, and Kapuso Primetime Queen Marian Rivera emerged as the team's top picks to be Letran's new muse.

Trivia: Power forward Christian Fajarito is a fan of Julie Ann, while teammate Marc Paolo Javillonar likes the tandem of Marian and her husband Dingdong Dantes.

The team's coaches, meanwhile, would love to see Heart Evangelista represent the Knights in Season 96.

Will the basketball gods grant the team its wishes? More importantly, can the Knights repeat as champions to achieve back-to-back titles?

NCAA fans can watch the games soon on GMA News TV and via online streaming on GMANetwork.com. The Men's Basketball Finals will be aired on the Kapuso Network's main channel, GMA-7, while viewers abroad can also catch the action via GMA Pinoy TV.