Latest news with #Letran
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GMA Network
23-07-2025
- Sport
- GMA Network
Letran, San Beda set up semis duel vs. Adamson, UST in Asiabasket
Jonathan Manalili of Letran and Yukien Andrada of San Beda in AsiaBasket. (Photos: AsiaBasket/FB) Colegio de San Juan de Letran and San Beda University are marching to the semifinals of the Asiabasket 2025 International Invitational after escaping separate foes in the quarterfinals on Wednesday. The Knights outlasted the Formosa King Tigers with a narrow 104-100 win behind a near double-double outing from big man Kevin Santos, who posted 19 points together with nine rebound, three blocks, one assist, and one steal to power the quarterfinal victory. A Santos layup late in the first quarter sent the Knights to a huge 20-point lead at 35-15, but the visiting club slowly crawled its way back as Tseng Hsiang Weii converted a basket that trimmed their deficit to three, 96-99, in the final 1:11 of the fourth. Santos then provided the timely baskets, sinking a pair of free throws before throwing down a dunk that saw Letran taking a crucial 103-96 lead with 41 ticks left. Luis Tapenio shone as well with 15 points, six rebounds, and two assists while Jimboy Estrada and Deo Cuajao chipped in 10 and nine markers apiece. Meanwhile, San Beda eked out a 68-58 win against United Prep Canada behind the tandem of Bryan Sajonia and Yuki Andrada. Sajonia led the charge with a double-double of 19 points and 12 rebounds laced with four assists, two steals, and one block while the graduating Andrada churned out 16 markers, two boards, one dime, and one block. Letran and San Beda will now cross paths with UAAP teams with the Knights facing Adamson University and the Red Lions squaring off with University of Santo Tomas both on Thursday. —JKC, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
11-07-2025
- Sport
- GMA Network
NU averts collapse, ousts top seed Letran in FilOil preseason tiff
National University nearly wasted a double-digit lead, but still managed to pull off a 79-77 upset win against NCAA top seed Colegio de San Juan de Letran in the 18th FilOil EcoOil Preseason Cup on Friday. The Bulldogs, who ended the elimination round at the fourth spot in the UAAP side of the bracket, advanced to the semifinals where they fill face either University of Santo Tomas or Emilio Aguinaldo College. The returning Jake Figueroa marked his comeback from a two-game absence with 21 points, six rebounds, four steals, and and one assist while Jolo Manansala chipped in 16 markers, six boards, and three dimes to help turn back a gutsy comeback from the Knights. Letran unleashed a third quarter uprising, erasing a 14-point deficit thanks to a 21-11 rampage that allowed the Knights to pull within four before heading to the payoff period, 64-60. But the Bulldogs roared to another 14-point cushion after an Omar John jumper for a 75-61 advantage. The Knights, though, turned to a rookie in Luiz Tapenio in their last desperate comeback attempt. The young forward split a free throw before scoring an and-one basket that cut Letran's deficit to three, 74-77. Deo Cuajao then made a crucial three-pointer that made it a one-point ballgame at 77-78 before Figueroa sank one of his two freebies to give NU enough cushion in the last three seconds. Jonathan Manalili had the chance to make another basket but the incoming rookie lost the ball in the last possession. Manalili paced Letran with an all-around outing of 18 points, seven rebounds, eight assists, and two steals while Kevin Santos and Deo Cuajao both churned out 14 markers in the losing cause. —JMB, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
04-07-2025
- Sport
- GMA Network
Andrew Estrella is new Letran Squires head coach
NCAA Andrew Estrella is the new head coach of the Colegio de San Juan Letran Squires. Estrella will replace Willie Miller who steered the Squires to a Final Four run in NCAA Season 100. Estrella handled the UE Junior Warriors U16 team in the past two seasons and delivered the title in UAAP U16 boys basketball last December. "I'm incredibly thankful to Letran and Strong Group Athletics for this chance to lead the Squires," Estrella said in a statement. "Thank you to Fr. Raymond [Jose, OP], Fr. Vic, Boss Frank, and Boss Jacob for believing in me. I'll give my best and make sure not to let anyone down." Despite his new responsibility as a head coach, Estrella will still be serving in the University of the East. "I may have a new home with Letran, but there are no goodbyes," he said. "I'll still be consulting for UE. UE helped shape who I am as a coach, and I'll always be grateful for that." Joining Estrella in UE are Anton Escolin, JC Docto, and Kris Reyes, with Bryan Cay as strength and conditioning and Julianne Valencia as physical therapist. —JKC, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
21-06-2025
- Sport
- GMA Network
Cha Cuñada finds new fulfillment in deputy role for Letran Lady Knights
NCAA By BEA MICALLER,GMA Integrated News Known for her calm demeanor on the court as a player, Cha Cuñada now brings that same steady presence to the Colegio de San Juan de Letran women's volleyball coaching staff in the NCAA. The 25-year-old former outside spiker admitted she was never the vocal leader back in her playing years and hat's exactly what she is using now in guiding the next generation of the Lady Knights. "Mostly po talaga, [ang trabaho ko sa team ay] para lang nila akong ate. Parang ako kumbaga 'yung taga-balance sa team kasi syempre si coach 'pag nagagalit, so parang sa akin sila nagra-rant or humihingi ng advice," Cuñada told GMA News Online. "Pero at the same time, sa skills din kasi naging player din naman ako kaya tumulong-tulong din ako pagdating sa drill. Pinagkakatiwalaan din naman ako ni Coach O (Oliver Almadro) and 'yung mga players alam ko naman na nakikinig din naman sila sa akin." As a silent operator, Cuñada made sure her game did the talking. The 5-foot-5 hitter suited up for both the indoor and beach volleyball teams for Letran from Season 94 to Season 98, a stretch that saw her leading the Lady Knights to a beach volleyball crown in Season 98 and bagging the MVP plum in the process. She has now transitioned to coaching, helping Letran head coach Oliver Almadro full-time since Season 99 as they look to lead the rebirth of the Lady Knights. Cuñada admitted that transitioning from player to coach wasn't easy, especially since many of the players on the current roster were once her teammates, making it tricky to strike the right balance in her new role. "At first, mahirap kasi maraming players dito 'yung naabutan pa akong maglaro, sina Lara, si Nathalie [Estreller], si Juday [Nitura]. So parang ang hirap, hindi ko alam kung paano 'yung magiging approach ko sa kanila," Cuñada, who previously had stints with Chery Tiggo and Cignal, added. "Pero na-realize ko na hindi naman lahat kailangan idaan sa taas ng boses, nakikinig naman sila kahit 'pag kinakausap ko lang nang maayos." —JKC, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
16-06-2025
- Sport
- GMA Network
Letran, Mapua overwhelm JRU, San Sebastian in Filoil preseason tilt
Colegio de San Juan de Letran and Mapua University continued to make waves in the preseason just months before plunging into action in the NCAA Season 101 later this year. The Knights, eager to make up for back-to-back Final Four misses in Seasons 99 and 100, cruised to their fourth straight win in the 18th FilOil EcoOil Preseason Cup after crushing Jose Rizal University with an 84-73 win on Monday. Old faces came up big for the Muralla crew with Deo Cuajao churning out 15 points off the bench while veteran big man Kevin Santos posted 13 markers, seven rebounds, two assists, and one steal as the Knights improved to 6-1. But Letran also flexed its depth with new recruits proving their worth in the win New faces Peter Rosillo and Aaron Buensalida each finished with 12 points in starter roles to help Letran build momentum in the preseason before they mount a redemption tour in Season 101. Meanwhile, defending champion Mapua avoided a huge upset against San Sebastian College-Recoletos with big man Drex Delos Reyes fueling their 77-70 escape victory. The 6-foot-8 bruiser flirted with a double-double outing of 15 points and nine rebounds to help the cause while Cyril Gonzales remained steady with 11 markers, three boards, two steals, and one dime as the Cardinals improved to 3-2. Scores: First Game: Letran 84 - Cuajao 15, Estrada 13, Santos 13, Rosillo 12, Buensalida 12, Yusi 5, Roque 5, Silorio 4, Tapenio 3, Manalili 2. JRU 73 - Peñaverde 24, Panapanaan 14, Argente 10, Lozano 9, Castillo 6, Garupil 3, Esguerra 2, Herrera 2, Pangilinan 2, Sarmiento 1, Benitez 0, Canoza 0. Quarters: 21-22, 43-38, 65-52, 84-73. Second Game: Mapua 77 - Delos Reyes 15, Lazarte 12, Gonzales 11, Escamis 8, Recto 7, Cuenco 5, Concepcion 5, Nitura 5, Gulapa 5, Sapasap 4, Igliane 0, Callangan 0. San Sebastian 70 - Felebrico 17, Are 13, Nepacena 11, Ricio 10, Pillado 6, Cabilla 4, Lumanag 4, Gomez De Liaño 3, Castor 2, Gabat 0. Quarters: 20-16, 35-29, 51-49, 77-70. —JKC, GMA Integrated News
