NCAA Season 101 is set to begin this week with a new format, which includes being drawn into groups for the elimination round. Before the games officially kick off, catch up on the teams, starting with Group B: Colegio de San Juan de Letran, De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde, Emilio Aguinaldo College, Jose Rizal University, and San Beda University.
Redemption-seeking Letran targets nothing less than a title in NCAA Season 101
Colegio de San Juan de Letran Knights
Key holdovers: Jimboy Estrada, Kevin Santos, Deo Cuajao
Additions: Jonathan Manalili, Mark Denver Omega, Jun Roque
Season 100 record: 8-10 (6th)
It's almost as if Colegio de San Juan de Letran and winning go hand-in-hand.
The Knights are used to winning title after title in the past, winning three consecutive championships in Season 95, Season 97, and Season 98 to establish a dynastic run in the league to become the latest team to complete such a feat.
But wins proved hard to come by the past editions with Letran only securing 10 wins in 36 games in Season 99 and Season 100 combined.
But in the upcoming Season 101, the Knights are out for nothing less than the big chip.
They will lean on a mix of old and new faces for that vision with holdovers Jimboy Estrada, Kevin Santos, and Deo Cuajao providing the leadership for the crew of sophomore coach Allen Ricardo.
They will join forces with a new breed of Knights led by rookie guard Jonathan Manalili and other recruits such as transferees Mark Denver Omega, Jun Roque, Peter Rosillo, and Luiz Tapenio.
Completing the roster are John Alejandro, Jovel Baliling, Aaro Buensalida, Lorge Gammad, Alex Gazzingan, Nat Montecillo, Edvil Mundas, Joss Poli, Syrex Silorio, and Elijah Yusi.
Benilde all fired up to avenge last year's finals heartbreak
De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde Blazers
Key holdovers: Allen Liwag, Tony Ynot, Justine Sanchez
Additions: SJ Moore, Shawn Umali
Season 100 record: 14-4 (runner-up)
Twice in the last three years, De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde reached the finals only to fall short against two different opponents. In the upcoming NCAA Season 101, the Blazers aren't just keen on settling some unfinished business but also ending a long 25-year title drought.
And the Taft faithful have all the reason to believe that this Benilde roster can get it done at last.
Still manning the frontcourt for the Blazers is reigning MVP Allen Liwag as the 6-foot-6 big man draws inspiration from their Season 100 finals heartbreak against Mapua University.
Liwag won't be having a lack of help with transferees Shawn Umali, SJ Moore, and Raffy Celis now all ready to don the Benilde colors. Umali was a dominant bruiser for Lyceum of the Philippines University while Moore and Celis were both from UAAP, all of whom are primed to reinforce the Blazers this year.
They will join forces with veteran troika of Justine Sanchez, Tony Ynot, and team captain Gab Cometa.
Also returning for another campaign for Benilde are Jhomel Ancheta, Joshua Cajucom, Anton Eusebio, Matthew Oli, Jericho Jalalon, and Ian Torres.
Completing the redemption lineup are Bonn Daja, Irele Galas, Jake Gaspay, Jio Gonzaga, and John Morales as the Blazers hope this year won't end the same way two of their last three campaigns did.
Benilde made it to the Season 98 championship round, but absorbed a Game 3 loss to three-peat kings Colegio de San Juan de Letran. They missed the finals in Season 99, but returned to the Finals in Season 100, where they were swept by the Cardinals, who clinched the school's first title in 33 years.
_2025_04_13_01_33_32_0.jpg)
Rookie phenom EJ Castillo, seasoned core make EAC a force in NCAA Season 101
Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals
Key holdovers: Kyle Ochavo, Nico Quinal, Brianne Angeles
Additions: EJ Castillo, Jacob Shanoda, Oman Omandac
Season 100 record: 9-9 (5th)
Emilio Aguinaldo College enters NCAA Season 101 looking every bit like a legitimate title contender as it rolls out a solid core backed by a rookie sensation.
The Generals, who fell just short of a maiden Final Four appearance last year, is back with holdovers Kyle Ochavo, Brianne Angeles, and Nico Quinal, who will look to fill the voids left by Harvey Pagsanjan, King Gurtiza, and Axel Doromal.
Also back are other crucial pieces in Jethro Bacud, Jude Bagay, Deo Lucero, Ruzzelle Dominguez, Wilmar Oftana, and Gelo Loristo, all of whom are expected to provide the veteran presence.
But what makes EAC more dangerous is the arrival of EJ Castillo.
The 6-foot-1 rookie guard first made his mark in the high school ranks, suiting up for three seasons with the EAC Brigadiers. A sweet-shooting scorer, Castillo bagged the Most Improved Player award in the NCAA Season 99 juniors tournament and earned back-to-back Mythical Five selections in Seasons 99 and 100.
He’s now ready to showcase his skills in the collegiate ranks as he joins forces with a seasoned squad determined to break the curse and steer EAC to its first-ever Final Four appearance.
Completing their roster are Joshua Devara, Adam Doria, Chester Jacob, Rico Postanes, Joshua Tolentino, and Felix Villarente.
JRU bets on youth in NCAA Season 101
Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers
Key holdovers: Shawn Argente, Vince Sarmiento, Justin Lozano
Additions: Sanlea Peñaverde, Sean Salvador, Paul Enal
Season 100 record: 4-14 (10th)
Armed with raw talent and unshaking belief, Jose Rizal University banks on a youthful squad that represents both the Heavy Bombers' present and future.
JRU is parading a rookie-laden lineup for NCAA Season 101 as it figures in a tough Group B together with perennial contenders like San Beda, Letran, and Benilde as well as fellow dark horse EAC.
Shawn Argente leads the key holdovers alongside Vince Sarmiento, Lance Benitez, and Justin Lozano with Nani Epondulan returning to his alma mater to call the shots.
Epondulan was a former NCAA MVP in 2001, bringing JRU to a couple of finals appearances.
Epondulan's homecoming signals a fresh start for JRU as he brings in a few of his trusted players from the Mapua Red Robins like Sean Salvador, Yuri Duque, and Allan Laurenaria.
The three rookies are tipped to join forces with another promising recruit in Sanlea Peñaverde, who was part of Season 100 juniors basketball's Mythical Five and All-Defensive Team with the San Sebastian Staglets. Paul Enal, the Defensive Player of the Year for the JRU Light Bombers in the Season 99 juniors tournament, will also finally get to see action in the senior ranks.
Rounding out the lineup are John Canoza, Franzen Casinillo, Benedict Catapang, Gyllie Esguerra, Jay Garupil, Harry Herrera, Ivan Panapanaan, and Rasa Soleimani.
San Beda aiming for a roaring royal return as Yukien Andrada returns for swan song
San Beda University Red Lions
Key holdovers: Yukien Andrada, Jomel Puno, Bismarck Lina
Additions: Agjanti Miller, MJ Vailoces
Season 100 record: 10-8 (3rd)
Yukien Andrada may already have his sights set on the professional ranks, but his immediate goal is clear: steer San Beda University back to the throne.
The Red Lions fell short last year after a tough Final Four exit at the hands of a loaded De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde, absorbing an abrupt end to their title defense bid.
They will now turn that heartbreak into fuel in NCAA Season 101, with graduating Yukien Andrada leading from the front in his swan song.
Good thing for the Red Lions is that Andrada, who was picked 6th overall by Magnolia during the PBA Season 50 Rookie Draft, isn't alone in this fight with key holdovers Jomel Puno, Penny Estacio, Bismarck Lina, and Nygel Gonzales supplying the help.
Also returning are Bryan Sajonia, RC Calimag, Joe Celzo, JC Bonzalida, and Menard Songcuya as the Red Lions look to move on from the departure of James Payosing, who has since transferred to UP in the UAAP.
Completing the Red Lions lineup are key recruit Agjanti Miller and and rookie MJ Vailoces as well as Ismael Culdora, Zedljay Etulle, Kyle Jamora, Jimuel Reyes, and Ron Tolentino.
—JMB, GMA Integrated News
