Colegio de San Juan de Letran head coach Allen Ricardo is one proud coach despite falling to rival San Beda University in their best-of-three finals showdown in the NCAA Season 101 last Saturday.
The Knights lost the title opener to the in-form Red Lions as they suffered a lopsided 89-70 defeat. They then eventually failed to tie the series after absorbing an 83-71 loss to a Mendiola side missing the suspended Janti Miller in Game 2.
For Ricardo, however, there is no shame in the Knights’ campaign this season, especially seeing what it took them to make it back to the finals.
After missing out on the Final Four in the centennial season, Letran went on a three-game losing streak to start its campaign this year. Despite the slow start, they made it all the way to the championship round.
“I’m proud of them. I’m proud of the coaches, I’m proud of the players for what we’ve achieved. And there’s nothing to be ashamed of. Kasi akala nila from 0-3 hindi na kami aabot dito sa stage na to,” Ricardo told reporters.
(I’m proud of them. I’m proud of the coaches, I’m proud of the players for what we’ve achieved. And there’s nothing to be ashamed of. Because people thought from 0-3 that we wouldn't make it to this stage here.)
Ricardo moved up the the men’s basketball program of Letran after calling the shots for the Squires in the juniors division, where he won back-to-back titles in Seasons 98 and 99.
For all his championship experience, the mentor is left to deal with the pain of his first finals loss.
“I’m just trying to be okay. Being a champion coach previously, hindi okay 'tong talo na 'to. It is a painful loss,” he said.
“I guess I still overachieved this season. For me. Kasi last year we were in sixth place. And then this year, we’re a runner-up. It was a good experience for me and the team,” he added.
(I’m just trying to be okay. Being a champion coach previously, this loss is not okay. It is a painful loss. I guess I still overachieved this season. For me. Because last year we were in sixth place. And then this year, we’re a runner-up. It was a good experience for me and the team.)
With Kevin Santos being the only remaining holdover of the team that completed the three-peat conquest in Season 98, Ricardo and the Knights were in uncharted territory.
Still, they are looking to turn the painful loss to a motivation for next year’s drive.
“Bago nga sa kanila 'tong championship. Ang laking bagay nito going next year kasi masakit 'to eh. But I want to acknowledge Coach Yuri [Escueta] and San Beda, They really did a great job in this championship series. So I learned a lot from this, playing against them,” said Ricardo.
(The championship is new to them. This will be a big deal going next year. Because this hurts. But I want to acknowledge coach Yuri and San Beda, They really did a great job in this championship series. So I learned a lot from this, playing against them.)
Additionally, Ricardo is getting a much-needed boost for his potential lineup next season as the Squires defeated Arellano University in the finals of the juniors basketball tournament.
For the mentor, having consistent programs in both divisions will be key for the future of the school’s basketball teams.
“Maganda na consistent 'yung program from juniors division pa lang. Working with Letran, it will be important next season para sa seniors level since nag-champion yung Squires.”
(It's good that the program is consistent from even the juniors division. Working with Letran, it will be important next season for the seniors level since the Squires won their championship.)
—JMB/JKC, GMA Integrated News
