Letran Knights
Encyclopedia
Letran Knights is the name of the varsity basketball
team of the Colegio de San Juan de Letran
. Letran College is a Roman Catholic institution and the oldest college in the Philippines
.
The Letran Knights have won the NCAA
(Philippines) Seniors Basketball Championship, on 16 occasions, the most by any NCAA team.
Other sports played at Letran College have adopted the name Letran Knights for their senior teams. The junior teams are dubbed the Letran Squires, while the women's teams (volleyball
and taekwondo
) are the Letran Lady Knights.
as its mascot in respect to its founder, the Spanish officer Don Juan Geromino Guerrero who was a Knight of Malta
.
athletics league. Letran College later rejoined the league on 1936. Two years later, the Knights won their first senior basketball title under coach Jacinto Ciriacruz and team captain Felicismo Fajardo.
The seasons following this were disappointing for the Letran Knights, until the team achieved a breakthrough in 1950.
beat them in the last game, there was still no need to hold a championship round. The Letran Knights had won the tournament. The team was headed by 1948 Olympian Lauro "The Fox" Mumar
and nicknamed "Murder Inc."
The Knights went on to make it a habit of winning their championships around the turn of every decade. In 1960 they beat San Beda and Jose Rizal Heavy Bombers in the championship round (they would again beat Jose Rizal University
in 1966). The final match came down to the wire as Basilio Go, for the Letran Knights, converted a jumper as time expired. In the 1970 season, Letran College beat De La Salle University
, Manila, for the championship.
In 1979, two sides from the Intramuros
district of Manila, the oldest part of the city, battled one another in the championship round of the tournament. This 'Battle of Intramuros' saw the Letran Knights and the Mapua Cardinals
face off for the championship. Coached by the legendary Nemie Villegas, with Most Valuable Player
(MVP) Ramon San Juan, Angelito "Itoy" Esguerra, Gracito "Chito" Mojica, Timoteo "Tim" Coloso, Arnulfo "Nonie" Robles, rookies Ed Ducut and Boyet Olano, Ted McKinney, spitfire Pedrito "Bong" Aninon and Team Captain Ed Baldomero, the Knights defeated the Cardinals to take the trophy for that year.
The 1980 season changed the face of the league and led to the future segregation of supporters, as fans of the Letran Knights, going for a back-to-back winning season, and those of the De La Salle Green Archers
, got involved in a large brawl inside the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex
. The NCAA (Philippines) Policy Board banned Letran from the remainder of the season, and suspended the basketball tournament. When Letran was readmitted in 1981, La Salle disagreed and left the league (they would later join the University Athletic Association of the Philippines in the 1986 season).
. Coached by Larry Albano, the 1984 team more than matched the success of the 1950 team, emerging from the championship having won nine games out of ten. It was under Coach Larry Albano's direction that the Letran Knights won three consecutive championships starting with the first in 1982. This was the first time in history that a team won three championships in a row and establishing a dynasty.
In 1986, the Letran Knights, now coached by Eddie Reyes, reached the championship round of the tournament, with the San Sebastian Stags
winning that year. And in 1987, Letran College took their 10th NCAA (Philippines) senior title, with a score of 63–62 over the San Sebastian Stags
. The Stags failed to take the championship stage to a deciding game by losing the second game in the closing seconds, when their captain, Paul Alvarez, turned over the ball and Dong Libed, for the Letran Knights, was able to bring the title back to Intramuros.
for the title. The Knights beat the Stags in two games in the final.
However, the San Sebastian Stags had the best of the 1990s. They won the next five championships (an NCAA record). In 1998, the Stags attempted to win their sixth consecutive title, but the Letran Knights, helped by Kerby Raymundo
and Chris Calaguio, and coached by Louie Alas
, denied them this honour and took the championship for themselves. Despite the Stags forcing an overtime in the second game, Letranite J.P. Pacheco drained two three-pointers and assured the Knights of a 2–0 victory.
During the 1999 season, the Letran Knights were mentored by Binky Favis, who later coached the Coca Cola Tigers. History was made when the Letran Knights became the first team ranked fourth to beat a number one side in the semi-finals. The team they beat was the San Sebastian Stags. The Jose Rizal Heavy Bombers faced the Letran Knights in the championship stage. The Heavy Bombers had last won the title in 1972 and the matches were violent and chaotic, as Letran supporters threw hopia
(a kind of pastry) and all sorts of debris onto the playing court, causing the games to be delayed. Game 2 was delayed by half an hour when supporters of Letran College rained the playing court with hopia. When this game was nearing its end, with less than three minutes remaining and the Knights leading by 18 points, John Dale Valena of the Heavy Bombers punched John Paul Prior of the Letran Knights, leading to a brawl which extended outside the stadium. The Heavy Bombers withdrew from the tournament after the brawl and the trophy was awarded to the Letran Knights.
The 2003 series culminated with a play-off between the Letran Knights and the hosts, the San Sebastian Stags, who had won the previous two championships. The Knights, coached by Louie Alas
and led by Ronjay Enrile, were aiming to break Ateneo de Manila University's
record of 14 titles. The series reached a deciding Game 3. In the final minutes, Boyet Bautista
, Aaron Aban
and Jonathan Piñera ignited an 8–0 run, turning a 56–58 deficit into a 64–58 title-clinching victory. Ronjay Enrile was voted as NCAA (Philippines) Finals MVP.
As a result of this success, Letran College joined the Philippine Basketball League
(PBL) in 2003 under the banner of Toyota Otis. The Knights captured the third place trophy in the Unity Cup, after beating defending champions Hapee Toothpaste.
Emerging at the end of the elimination round during the NCAA (Philippines) 2004 season with a 9–5 standing, the Letran Knights faced, in the Final Four tournament, a Philippine Christian University
Dolphins
side who had a 10–4 standing, giving the Knights a twice-to-win disadvantage. The match was forced to a deciding game, but Enrile missed both of his free throws in the 4th quarter and the Dolphins won. The Dolphins went on to win their first NCAA (Philippines) title against the season host, UPHSD Altas
.
Progress in the PBL was also a disappointment for the Letran Knights that year.
With Letran College hosting the 2005 season, the Letran Knights and the PCU Dolphins were considered certain to be amongst those contending the finals. The Knights defeated the Dolphins in overtime in the first round, and the Knights and the Dolphins finished 1–2 at the end of the eliminations. They each disposed of their semi-final opponents to set up one of the most widely-anticipated finals in recent history. The Dolphins shocked Letran College as they emerged as winners in Game 1. However, the Letran Knights, led in this second game by J P Alcaraz, won Game 2. The deciding Game was won by the Letran Knights, with Boyet Bautista
winning MVP honors. Louie Alas won his third NCAA title and was awarded Coach of the Year.
The Letran Squires had to forfeit all of their games in 2005 because a player was found to have played in another league while the NCAA tournament was underway.
In the Philippine Basketball League (PBL) Heroes Cup that followed, the Letran team Toyota-Otis drafted former University of Texas-El Paso player Joe Devance, but the Knights finished last in their division.
In the PBL Unity Cup of that year, the Toyota-Otis team, now known as the Sparks, beat defending champions Rain or Shine Elasto Painters in a best-of-five series, setting up a best-of-five Final encounter against the Harbour Centre Portmasters. Aaron Aban
received a wrist injury which put him out of Games 4 and 5 and the Portmasters defeated the Sparks. Devance was named MVP of the tournament.
In the 2006 NCAA (Philippines) season
, the Knights had a 6-0 start but were beaten by San Beda in the first round finale. The Knights won several more games, but with losses to eventual finalists Mapua, PCU and San Beda in their last three elimination round games, they were forced to face PCU in a playoff. The Knights lost this game and went on to lose another in the final four, finishing second runner-up.
The Squires finished without a win in 2006. Letran Knight Boyet Bautista
won the Most Improved Player award, while Julius Wong of the Letran Squires was selected as one of the Mythical 5.
Louie Alas described the 2007 season
as a "rebuilding" season, with Boyet Bautista
and Aaron Aban
leaving the side, after being drafted
into the Philippine Basketball Association
. The Philippine Christian University Dolphins were suspended, so there were only 7 teams in the competition. The Letran Knights won their first four games before losing to the hosts, the JRU Heavy Bombers. However, they were able to defeat the San Beda Red Lions, who until then had been unbeaten, and so finish on top after the first round. The side was beaten by Mapua and San Beda at the second round, however, but still finished second. Disposing of the Heavy Bombers in the semifinals, the Knights faced, in the final, the side that had once beaten them in their otherwise-invincible 1950 season. Anchored by Nigerian behemoth Samuel Ekwe, the San Beda Red Lions went on to win their 13th trophy.
The Squires had a very successful season, finishing in second place after the eliminations. However, they were defeated by the San Sebastian Staglets over two games in the finals.
It is also notable that the Knights rarely wear white uniforms in recent years, opting to use only red (as light uniform) and blue (as dark uniform; also light uniform if another team wears red) as its uniform colors.
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Head coach
Assistant coach(es)
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Legend:
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The Letran Booters won several titles in the NCAA (Philippines), most notably during the 1980s, when they beat a fabled Mapua team with Taiwanese and foreign-bred players. However, due to financial restraints, Letran College discontinued the seniors football team in 2003.
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
team of the Colegio de San Juan de Letran
Colegio de San Juan de Letran
The Colegio de San Juan de Letran, Letran College, or simply Letran is a private Roman Catholic institution of learning located in Intramuros, Manila, in the Philippines. The college was founded in 1620. Colegio de San Juan de Letran has the distinction of being the oldest college in the...
. Letran College is a Roman Catholic institution and the oldest college in the Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
.
The Letran Knights have won the NCAA
National Collegiate Athletic Association (Philippines)
The National Collegiate Athletic Association is an athletics association of nine colleges and universities in the Philippines. Established in 1924, the NCAA is the oldest athletic association in the Philippines...
(Philippines) Seniors Basketball Championship, on 16 occasions, the most by any NCAA team.
Other sports played at Letran College have adopted the name Letran Knights for their senior teams. The junior teams are dubbed the Letran Squires, while the women's teams (volleyball
Volleyball
Volleyball is a team sport in which two teams of six players are separated by a net. Each team tries to score points by grounding a ball on the other team's court under organized rules.The complete rules are extensive...
and taekwondo
Taekwondo
Taekwondo is a Korean martial art and the national sport of South Korea. In Korean, tae means "to strike or break with foot"; kwon means "to strike or break with fist"; and do means "way", "method", or "path"...
) are the Letran Lady Knights.
Name
Letran College joined the NCAA (Philippines) league in the 1928–29 season, taking a knightKnight
A knight was a member of a class of lower nobility in the High Middle Ages.By the Late Middle Ages, the rank had become associated with the ideals of chivalry, a code of conduct for the perfect courtly Christian warrior....
as its mascot in respect to its founder, the Spanish officer Don Juan Geromino Guerrero who was a Knight of Malta
Knights Hospitaller
The Sovereign Military Hospitaller Order of Saint John of Jerusalem of Rhodes and of Malta , also known as the Sovereign Military Order of Malta , Order of Malta or Knights of Malta, is a Roman Catholic lay religious order, traditionally of military, chivalrous, noble nature. It is the world's...
.
Varsity Teams
- BasketballBasketballBasketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
- VolleyballVolleyballVolleyball is a team sport in which two teams of six players are separated by a net. Each team tries to score points by grounding a ball on the other team's court under organized rules.The complete rules are extensive...
- TaekwondoTaekwondoTaekwondo is a Korean martial art and the national sport of South Korea. In Korean, tae means "to strike or break with foot"; kwon means "to strike or break with fist"; and do means "way", "method", or "path"...
- Table TennisTable tennisTable tennis, also known as ping-pong, is a sport in which two or four players hit a lightweight, hollow ball back and forth using table tennis rackets. The game takes place on a hard table divided by a net...
- ChessChessChess is a two-player board game played on a chessboard, a square-checkered board with 64 squares arranged in an eight-by-eight grid. It is one of the world's most popular games, played by millions of people worldwide at home, in clubs, online, by correspondence, and in tournaments.Each player...
- Track and FieldTrack and fieldTrack and field is a sport comprising various competitive athletic contests based around the activities of running, jumping and throwing. The name of the sport derives from the venue for the competitions: a stadium which features an oval running track surrounding a grassy area...
- TennisTennisTennis is a sport usually played between two players or between two teams of two players each . Each player uses a racket that is strung to strike a hollow rubber ball covered with felt over a net into the opponent's court. Tennis is an Olympic sport and is played at all levels of society at all...
- Football (Juniors only)
History
Letran College has been an active participant in inter-collegiate basketball throughout the twentieth century and into the twenty-first.Pre-War
Letran College won the La Liga Catolica (The Catholic League) in the early 1920s. When Letran joined the NCAA (Philippines) in 1928, the Squires promptly won the junior's championship in their first season, and went on to establish the then NCAA (Philippines) record of three consecutive junior's championships. However, Letran College withdrew in 1932 after a dispute over an ineligible player in the track and fieldTrack and field
Track and field is a sport comprising various competitive athletic contests based around the activities of running, jumping and throwing. The name of the sport derives from the venue for the competitions: a stadium which features an oval running track surrounding a grassy area...
athletics league. Letran College later rejoined the league on 1936. Two years later, the Knights won their first senior basketball title under coach Jacinto Ciriacruz and team captain Felicismo Fajardo.
The seasons following this were disappointing for the Letran Knights, until the team achieved a breakthrough in 1950.
1950–1980
The Knights emerged as the top team in the 1950 season. Sweeping the first five games, the Knights were assured of a place in the finals, since the winners of the first round and the second round were automatically placed in the championship round. They won the next four games as well, winning the second round. Since they had won both rounds, and even though the San Beda Red LionsSan Beda Red Lions
The San Beda Red Lions are the National Collegiate Athletic Association basketball team of San Beda College.San Beda is the only founding member left in the league....
beat them in the last game, there was still no need to hold a championship round. The Letran Knights had won the tournament. The team was headed by 1948 Olympian Lauro "The Fox" Mumar
Lauro Mumar
Lauro "Larry" Mumar , is a former Filipino basketball player and later served as the national team head coach of India and the Philippines...
and nicknamed "Murder Inc."
The Knights went on to make it a habit of winning their championships around the turn of every decade. In 1960 they beat San Beda and Jose Rizal Heavy Bombers in the championship round (they would again beat Jose Rizal University
José Rizal University
José Rizal University is a non-sectarian, non-stock private educational institution. It is located at Shaw Boulevard, Mandaluyong City, Philippines. It was founded in 1919 by Vicente Fabella, who was the first Philippine Certified Accountant.José Rizal University joined the National Collegiate...
in 1966). The final match came down to the wire as Basilio Go, for the Letran Knights, converted a jumper as time expired. In the 1970 season, Letran College beat De La Salle University
De La Salle University
De La Salle University is a private Lasallian university in Malate, Manila, Philippines. It was founded in 1911 by De La Salle Brothers as the De La Salle College in Paco, Manila with Blimond Pierre serving as its first director...
, Manila, for the championship.
In 1979, two sides from the Intramuros
Intramuros
Intramuros is the oldest district in the present day city of Manila, the capital of the Republic of the Philippines. Nicknamed the "Walled City", Intramuros is the historic fortified city of Manila, the seat ot the government during the Spanish Colonial Period. Its name in Latin, intramuros,...
district of Manila, the oldest part of the city, battled one another in the championship round of the tournament. This 'Battle of Intramuros' saw the Letran Knights and the Mapua Cardinals
Mapúa Cardinals
The Mapúa Cardinals is the National Collegiate Athletic Association basketball team of the Mapúa Institute of Technology.The Mapúa Cardinals holds the NCAA record for the most number of General Championships in the seniors division with a total of 20—the last of these championships was won in 1993...
face off for the championship. Coached by the legendary Nemie Villegas, with Most Valuable Player
Most Valuable Player
In sports, a Most Valuable Player award is an honor typically bestowed upon the best performing player or players on a specific team, in an entire league, or for a particular contest or series of contests...
(MVP) Ramon San Juan, Angelito "Itoy" Esguerra, Gracito "Chito" Mojica, Timoteo "Tim" Coloso, Arnulfo "Nonie" Robles, rookies Ed Ducut and Boyet Olano, Ted McKinney, spitfire Pedrito "Bong" Aninon and Team Captain Ed Baldomero, the Knights defeated the Cardinals to take the trophy for that year.
The 1980 season changed the face of the league and led to the future segregation of supporters, as fans of the Letran Knights, going for a back-to-back winning season, and those of the De La Salle Green Archers
De La Salle Green Archers
The De La Salle Green Archers are the men's varsity teams representing De La Salle University. The women's varsity teams are referred to as the De La Salle Lady Archers. The school's athletic program participates in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines, among others...
, got involved in a large brawl inside the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex
Rizal Memorial Sports Complex
The Rizal Memorial Sports Complex, is national sports complex of the Philippines, located on Pablo Ocampo St. , Malate, Manila. It is named after the country's national hero, José Rizal....
. The NCAA (Philippines) Policy Board banned Letran from the remainder of the season, and suspended the basketball tournament. When Letran was readmitted in 1981, La Salle disagreed and left the league (they would later join the University Athletic Association of the Philippines in the 1986 season).
Samboy Lim era
Following the troublesome 1980 season, suspension from the league and a victory for the Mapua Cardinals, led by MVP Leo Isaac, in 1981, the Letran Knights won three consecutive championships beginning 1982, under the leadership of Samboy LimSamboy Lim
Avelino B. Lim, Jr. , better known as Samboy Lim, is a former basketball player of the Philippine Basketball Association. As a shooting guard, the iconic Lim distinguished himself with Magic Johnson-like ball handling skills and Julius "Dr...
. Coached by Larry Albano, the 1984 team more than matched the success of the 1950 team, emerging from the championship having won nine games out of ten. It was under Coach Larry Albano's direction that the Letran Knights won three consecutive championships starting with the first in 1982. This was the first time in history that a team won three championships in a row and establishing a dynasty.
In 1986, the Letran Knights, now coached by Eddie Reyes, reached the championship round of the tournament, with the San Sebastian Stags
San Sebastian Stags
The San Sebastian Golden Stags are the National Collegiate Athletic Association basketball team of the San Sebastian College – Recoletos....
winning that year. And in 1987, Letran College took their 10th NCAA (Philippines) senior title, with a score of 63–62 over the San Sebastian Stags
San Sebastian Stags
The San Sebastian Golden Stags are the National Collegiate Athletic Association basketball team of the San Sebastian College – Recoletos....
. The Stags failed to take the championship stage to a deciding game by losing the second game in the closing seconds, when their captain, Paul Alvarez, turned over the ball and Dong Libed, for the Letran Knights, was able to bring the title back to Intramuros.
The 1990s
The Letran Knights were champions again in 1992. Coached by Rudolf Hines (a member of the 1970 championship-winning team) and led by Ronald Peña and Gilbert Castillo, they again played the San Sebastian StagsSan Sebastian Stags
The San Sebastian Golden Stags are the National Collegiate Athletic Association basketball team of the San Sebastian College – Recoletos....
for the title. The Knights beat the Stags in two games in the final.
However, the San Sebastian Stags had the best of the 1990s. They won the next five championships (an NCAA record). In 1998, the Stags attempted to win their sixth consecutive title, but the Letran Knights, helped by Kerby Raymundo
Kerby Raymundo
Kerby Mariano Raymundo is a Filipino professional basketball player currently playing for the B-Meg Llamados in the Philippine Basketball Association...
and Chris Calaguio, and coached by Louie Alas
Louie Alas
Francisco Luis "Louie" Alas is a multi-titled Filipino basketball head coach. He is currently the head coach of the Letran Knights in the National Collegiate Athletic Association, and will soon coach the Philippine Patriots in the Asean Basketball League...
, denied them this honour and took the championship for themselves. Despite the Stags forcing an overtime in the second game, Letranite J.P. Pacheco drained two three-pointers and assured the Knights of a 2–0 victory.
During the 1999 season, the Letran Knights were mentored by Binky Favis, who later coached the Coca Cola Tigers. History was made when the Letran Knights became the first team ranked fourth to beat a number one side in the semi-finals. The team they beat was the San Sebastian Stags. The Jose Rizal Heavy Bombers faced the Letran Knights in the championship stage. The Heavy Bombers had last won the title in 1972 and the matches were violent and chaotic, as Letran supporters threw hopia
Hopia
Hopia is a popular Filipino bean filled pastry originally introduced by Fujianese immigrants in urban centres of the Philippines around the start of the American civil occupation...
(a kind of pastry) and all sorts of debris onto the playing court, causing the games to be delayed. Game 2 was delayed by half an hour when supporters of Letran College rained the playing court with hopia. When this game was nearing its end, with less than three minutes remaining and the Knights leading by 18 points, John Dale Valena of the Heavy Bombers punched John Paul Prior of the Letran Knights, leading to a brawl which extended outside the stadium. The Heavy Bombers withdrew from the tournament after the brawl and the trophy was awarded to the Letran Knights.
The New Millennium
From 2000 to 2002, the Letran Knights struggled as they underwent a rebuilding process, failing to become one of the top four teams in the competition for three consecutive years.The 2003 series culminated with a play-off between the Letran Knights and the hosts, the San Sebastian Stags, who had won the previous two championships. The Knights, coached by Louie Alas
Louie Alas
Francisco Luis "Louie" Alas is a multi-titled Filipino basketball head coach. He is currently the head coach of the Letran Knights in the National Collegiate Athletic Association, and will soon coach the Philippine Patriots in the Asean Basketball League...
and led by Ronjay Enrile, were aiming to break Ateneo de Manila University's
Ateneo de Manila University
The Ateneo de Manila University is a private teaching and research university run by the Society of Jesus in the Philippines. It began in 1859 when the City of Manila handed control of the Escuela Municipal de Manila in Intramuros, Manila, to the Jesuits...
record of 14 titles. The series reached a deciding Game 3. In the final minutes, Boyet Bautista
Boyet Bautista
Boyet Bautista is a basketball player for the Harbour Centre Batang Pier of the Philippine Basketball League. Bautista played high school and collegiate basketball for the Knights of the Colegio de San Juan de Letran...
, Aaron Aban
Aaron Aban
Aaron Abril G. Aban , better known as Aaron Aban, is a Filipino professional basketball player who currently plays for the Talk 'N Text Tropang Texters in the Philippine Basketball Association. Born in Cagayan de Oro City and went to Colegio de San Juan de Letran in college...
and Jonathan Piñera ignited an 8–0 run, turning a 56–58 deficit into a 64–58 title-clinching victory. Ronjay Enrile was voted as NCAA (Philippines) Finals MVP.
As a result of this success, Letran College joined the Philippine Basketball League
Philippine Basketball League
The Philippine Basketball League is a commercial semi-professional basketball league in the Philippines. The league is composed of several commercial teams with several collegiate and provincial stars.-History:...
(PBL) in 2003 under the banner of Toyota Otis. The Knights captured the third place trophy in the Unity Cup, after beating defending champions Hapee Toothpaste.
Emerging at the end of the elimination round during the NCAA (Philippines) 2004 season with a 9–5 standing, the Letran Knights faced, in the Final Four tournament, a Philippine Christian University
Philippine Christian University
The Philippine Christian University is a private university along Taft Avenue, Manila. It was founded in 1946 through the initiatives of the Laymen of the Evangelical Association of the Philippines. Originally named as Manila Union University, it was renamed as Philippine Christian College...
Dolphins
PCU Dolphins
The PCU Dolphins are the National Collegiate Athletic Association basketball team of the Philippine Christian University.Their 2004 title was their only NCAA basketball title....
side who had a 10–4 standing, giving the Knights a twice-to-win disadvantage. The match was forced to a deciding game, but Enrile missed both of his free throws in the 4th quarter and the Dolphins won. The Dolphins went on to win their first NCAA (Philippines) title against the season host, UPHSD Altas
UPHSD Altas
The UPHSD Altas are the National Collegiate Athletic Association basketball team of the University of Perpetual Help System DALTA...
.
Progress in the PBL was also a disappointment for the Letran Knights that year.
With Letran College hosting the 2005 season, the Letran Knights and the PCU Dolphins were considered certain to be amongst those contending the finals. The Knights defeated the Dolphins in overtime in the first round, and the Knights and the Dolphins finished 1–2 at the end of the eliminations. They each disposed of their semi-final opponents to set up one of the most widely-anticipated finals in recent history. The Dolphins shocked Letran College as they emerged as winners in Game 1. However, the Letran Knights, led in this second game by J P Alcaraz, won Game 2. The deciding Game was won by the Letran Knights, with Boyet Bautista
Boyet Bautista
Boyet Bautista is a basketball player for the Harbour Centre Batang Pier of the Philippine Basketball League. Bautista played high school and collegiate basketball for the Knights of the Colegio de San Juan de Letran...
winning MVP honors. Louie Alas won his third NCAA title and was awarded Coach of the Year.
The Letran Squires had to forfeit all of their games in 2005 because a player was found to have played in another league while the NCAA tournament was underway.
In the Philippine Basketball League (PBL) Heroes Cup that followed, the Letran team Toyota-Otis drafted former University of Texas-El Paso player Joe Devance, but the Knights finished last in their division.
In the PBL Unity Cup of that year, the Toyota-Otis team, now known as the Sparks, beat defending champions Rain or Shine Elasto Painters in a best-of-five series, setting up a best-of-five Final encounter against the Harbour Centre Portmasters. Aaron Aban
Aaron Aban
Aaron Abril G. Aban , better known as Aaron Aban, is a Filipino professional basketball player who currently plays for the Talk 'N Text Tropang Texters in the Philippine Basketball Association. Born in Cagayan de Oro City and went to Colegio de San Juan de Letran in college...
received a wrist injury which put him out of Games 4 and 5 and the Portmasters defeated the Sparks. Devance was named MVP of the tournament.
In the 2006 NCAA (Philippines) season
NCAA Season 82
-Awards:Elwin Pascual won the MVP award in the Juniors' division, although it was later returned after the conclusion of PCU High School's eligibility scandal.* Most Valuable Player: Elvin Pascual...
, the Knights had a 6-0 start but were beaten by San Beda in the first round finale. The Knights won several more games, but with losses to eventual finalists Mapua, PCU and San Beda in their last three elimination round games, they were forced to face PCU in a playoff. The Knights lost this game and went on to lose another in the final four, finishing second runner-up.
The Squires finished without a win in 2006. Letran Knight Boyet Bautista
Boyet Bautista
Boyet Bautista is a basketball player for the Harbour Centre Batang Pier of the Philippine Basketball League. Bautista played high school and collegiate basketball for the Knights of the Colegio de San Juan de Letran...
won the Most Improved Player award, while Julius Wong of the Letran Squires was selected as one of the Mythical 5.
Louie Alas described the 2007 season
NCAA Season 83
-Elimination round:Host team in boldface.-Bracket:-Volleyball:-Men's tournament:The men's volleyball tournament began last July 8 at Saint Placid's Gym, San Beda College in Manila with six schools participating.-Team standings:...
as a "rebuilding" season, with Boyet Bautista
Boyet Bautista
Boyet Bautista is a basketball player for the Harbour Centre Batang Pier of the Philippine Basketball League. Bautista played high school and collegiate basketball for the Knights of the Colegio de San Juan de Letran...
and Aaron Aban
Aaron Aban
Aaron Abril G. Aban , better known as Aaron Aban, is a Filipino professional basketball player who currently plays for the Talk 'N Text Tropang Texters in the Philippine Basketball Association. Born in Cagayan de Oro City and went to Colegio de San Juan de Letran in college...
leaving the side, after being drafted
2005 PBA Draft
The 2005 Philippine Basketball Association Rookie Draft is an event, which allows teams to draft players from the amateur ranks. It was the first PBA Draft to feature only two rounds of drafting. It was held on August 14, 2005 at the Sta. Lucia East Grand Mall at Cainta, Rizal.-Round 1:-Round...
into the Philippine Basketball Association
Philippine Basketball Association
The Philippine Basketball Association , is a men's professional basketball league in the Philippines composed of 10 company-branded franchised teams. It is the first and oldest professional basketball league in Asia and the second oldest in the world after the NBA...
. The Philippine Christian University Dolphins were suspended, so there were only 7 teams in the competition. The Letran Knights won their first four games before losing to the hosts, the JRU Heavy Bombers. However, they were able to defeat the San Beda Red Lions, who until then had been unbeaten, and so finish on top after the first round. The side was beaten by Mapua and San Beda at the second round, however, but still finished second. Disposing of the Heavy Bombers in the semifinals, the Knights faced, in the final, the side that had once beaten them in their otherwise-invincible 1950 season. Anchored by Nigerian behemoth Samuel Ekwe, the San Beda Red Lions went on to win their 13th trophy.
The Squires had a very successful season, finishing in second place after the eliminations. However, they were defeated by the San Sebastian Staglets over two games in the finals.
It is also notable that the Knights rarely wear white uniforms in recent years, opting to use only red (as light uniform) and blue (as dark uniform; also light uniform if another team wears red) as its uniform colors.
The Knights Basketball Team Roster
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Head coach
Assistant coach(es)
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Legend:
- (cCaptain (sports)In team sports, a captain is a title given to a member of the team. The title is frequently honorary, but in some cases the captain may have significant responsibility for strategy and teamwork while the game is in progress on the field...
) Team captain - Injured
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Notable players
- Michelle Carolino: a member of the Philippine National Team who has won a lot of most valuable playerMost Valuable PlayerIn sports, a Most Valuable Player award is an honor typically bestowed upon the best performing player or players on a specific team, in an entire league, or for a particular contest or series of contests...
awards, and Best Attacker and Best Scorer in both the NCAA (Philippines) league & Shakey's V - League. - Marietta Carolino – sister of Michelle Carolino: a member of the Philippine National Team who has won a lot of MVP awards, as well as Best Attacker and Best Scorer in both the NCAA (Philippines) league & Shakey's V - League.
- Bangladesh Pantaleon
- Mariel Go
- Joy Gazelle Cases
- Khristine Basco
- Dianna Mae Diaz
- Ron-ron Vargas
- Dexter Santos
- Fely Rose Nacario
- Francis Dannang
- Leonard Botavara
- Paul Tagle
- Erwin de Ocampo
- Paolo Busog
- Reynaldo Pagtakhan
- Vhon Ongoco
- Rowel Merez
- Mark Anthony Dullas
- Louie Garcia
- Marlon Abarquez
- Reggie Regalado
- Rizalino Pinlac
- Gerry Joseph Dichoso
- Cesar Ona
- Reji Atangan
Notable players (Basketball)
- Larry Albano (Coached the first NCAA three-peat championship team 1982-1984)
- Romeo Ang (1983 NCAA MVP; Member of 1982-1984 NCAA Champion Team, former PBA player)
- Alex "Totoy" Marquez (former PBA player, 1975 NCAA MVP)
- Louie "Jumping Jack" Tabuena (Member of 1950 NCAA Champion Team)
- Nilo Verona (Member of 1950 NCAA Champion Team)
- Angel De Leon (Member of 1938 NCAA Champion Team, Coach of 1950 NCAA Champion Team)
- Herminio A. AstorgaHerminio A. AstorgaHerminio “Togay” A. Astorga served as the vice-mayor of the City of Manila from 1962–1967. He was also a National Collegiate Athletic Association and University Athletic Association of the Philippines basketball star, college professor, entrepreneur, and Catholic lay leader.-Early life:Astorga...
(former ManilaManilaManila is the capital of the Philippines. It is one of the sixteen cities forming Metro Manila.Manila is located on the eastern shores of Manila Bay and is bordered by Navotas and Caloocan to the north, Quezon City to the northeast, San Juan and Mandaluyong to the east, Makati on the southeast,...
Vice Mayor, member of the 1950 NCAA Champion Team) - Clemente Bargas (Member of 1960 NCAA Champion Team)
- Boyet BautistaBoyet BautistaBoyet Bautista is a basketball player for the Harbour Centre Batang Pier of the Philippine Basketball League. Bautista played high school and collegiate basketball for the Knights of the Colegio de San Juan de Letran...
(Member 2000 NCAA Jrs. 1st Runner up, Member 2000 NIKE 3on3 ASIAN CHAMPION, former PBA player, 2005 NCAA Finals MVP, 2006 NCAA Most Improved Player, Member of 2003 and 2005 NCAA Champion Team) - Florentino Bautista (1952 OlympianBasketball at the 1952 Summer OlympicsBasketball at the 1952 Summer Olympics was the third appearance of the sport. 23 nations entered the competition.The top six teams at the 1948 Summer Olympics qualified automatically, as did the 1950 World Champion , the top two at the 1951 European championships , and the host country...
) - Marlon Bolabola
- Monty Aquino (Member of 1982, 1983, 1984 and 1986 NCAA Champion teams)
- Elmer Bolabola (PBA Barako Energy Coffee Masters Assistant Coach)
- Chris CalaguioChris CalaguioChristian Jay Calaguio is a Filipino professional basketball player who last played for the San Miguel Beermen in the Philippine Basketball Association. Former San Beda Red Cub cager, was one of the star players of the Colegio de San Juan de Letran Knights during his college days in the National...
(1998 NCAA MVP, Member of 1998 NCAA Champion Team, currently plays for PoweradePoweradePowerade is a sports drink manufactured and marketed by The Coca-Cola Company. First introduced in 1988, its primary competitor is PepsiCo's Gatorade...
in the PBA) - Ronjay EnrileRonjay EnrileRonjay Enrile is a Filipino professional basketball player currently working as a team ambassador for the Powerade Tigers in the Philippine Basketball Association.-References:...
(2000 NCAA Jrs. MVP, 2003 NCAA Finals MVP, Member of 2003 NCAA Champion Team) - Felicisimo Fajardo (1948 OlympianBasketball at the 1948 Summer OlympicsBasketball at the 1948 Summer Olympics was the second appearance of the sport as an official medal event. A total number of 23 nations entered the competition....
, Member of 1938 NCAA Champion Team) - Gabriel Fajardo (Member of 1938 NCAA Champion Team)
- Basilio Go
- Anthony "Bonbon" Lim (Member of 1998 and 1999 NCAA Champion Team)
- Samboy LimSamboy LimAvelino B. Lim, Jr. , better known as Samboy Lim, is a former basketball player of the Philippine Basketball Association. As a shooting guard, the iconic Lim distinguished himself with Magic Johnson-like ball handling skills and Julius "Dr...
(1984 NCAA MVP, Mythical 5, 1990 Asian Games1990 Asian GamesThe 11th Asian Games also known as XI Asiad were held from September 22, 1990 to October 7, 1990 in Beijing, China. It was the first large-scale international sports event to be held in the People's Republic of China. A total number of 6,122 athletes, coming from 37 countries, competed in 29 sports...
Silver Medalist and Mythical 5, 1985 William Jones CupWilliam Jones CupThe R. William Jones Cup is an international basketball tournament held annually in Taipei, Taiwan. It was named after Renato William Jones, a basketball promoter and one of the founders of the International Basketball Federation .The Jones Cup tournament started in 1977 and is held annually...
Winner, 1986 Asian Games1986 Asian GamesThe 10th Asian Games were held from September 20, 1986 to October 5, 1986 in Seoul, South Korea. The city was supposed to host the 1970 games, but it received security threats from neighboring North Korea, forcing it to give up hosting the games to previous 1966 host Bangkok, Thailand...
Bronze Medalist, Member of the 25 Greatest Players of the PBA, PBA Hall of Fame; Member of 1982-1984 NCAA Champion Team) - Willie MillerWillie MillerWilliam Ferguson Miller, MBE is a former professional football player who made a club record 558 league appearances for Aberdeen. He is currently the club's Director of Football...
(2002 and 2007 PBA MVP, RP Powerade Team Member)(playing for Brgy. Ginebra Kings - PBA) - Lauro MumarLauro MumarLauro "Larry" Mumar , is a former Filipino basketball player and later served as the national team head coach of India and the Philippines...
(1948 OlympianBasketball at the 1948 Summer OlympicsBasketball at the 1948 Summer Olympics was the second appearance of the sport as an official medal event. A total number of 23 nations entered the competition....
, Team captain of the Philippine Team to the 1954 FIBA World Championship1954 FIBA World ChampionshipThe 1954 FIBA World Championship was an international basketball tournament held by the International Basketball Federation in Ginásio do Maracanãzinho, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil from October 22 to November 5, 1954...
, 1951 Asian Games1951 Asian GamesThe 1951 Asian Games, officially known as the First Asian Games, was a multi-sport event celebrated in Delhi, India from 4 to 11 March 1951. The Games received names like First Asiad and 1951 Asiad by the president of the organising committee Anthony de Mello...
Gold Medalist, 1954 Asian Games1954 Asian GamesThe 1954 Asian Games was a mult-sport event celebrated in Manila, Philippines from May 1 to May 9, 1954. A total of 970 athletes from 19 Asian National Olympic Committees competed in 76 events from eight sports...
Gold Medalist, Member of 1950 NCAA Champion Team, 1950 NCAA MVP) - Bibiano Quano (1936 OlympianBasketball at the 1936 Summer Olympics-Fifth-place classification:-First round:Winners advanced to the second round. Losers competed in the first consolation round for another chance to move on.* Estonia def. France, 34-29* Chile def. Turkey, 30-16* Switzerland def. Germany, 25-18...
) - Kerby RaymundoKerby RaymundoKerby Mariano Raymundo is a Filipino professional basketball player currently playing for the B-Meg Llamados in the Philippine Basketball Association...
(1997 NCAA Rookie of the Year, 1999 NCAA MVP, 1999 Southeast Asian GamesSoutheast Asian GamesThe Southeast Asian Games , is a biennial multi-sport event involving participants from the current 11 countries of Southeast Asia...
Gold Medalist, Currently playing for B-MEG Derby Ace Llamados(Purefoods) in the PBA, RP Powerade Team Member, Member of 1998 and 1999 NCAA Champion Team) - David Regullano (Member of 1970 NCAA Champion Team, former PBA player)
- Eduardo Reyes (Member of 1966 NCAA Champion Team, Coach 1986 and 1987 NCAA Back to Back Champion, 1986 Inter-Collegiate Champion)
- Freddie WebbFreddie WebbFreddie N. Webb is a retired Filipino basketball player and head coach, politician, radio personality, and actor. He also had been active in politics when he was elected as councilor of Pasay City, congressman for Parañaque, and senator...
(1972 OlympianBasketball at the 1972 Summer Olympics-Group B:-Medal bracket:-Classification brackets:5th–8th Place9th–12th Place13th–16th Place Forfeited match.-Gold Medal Match controversy:...
, Member of 1960 NCAA Champion Team, former PBA player) - Ronald Peña (Member of 1992 NCAA Champion Team)
- Rudy Hines (Former PBA player and Red Bull Asst. Coach, Member of 1970 NCAA Champion Team)
- Rino Salazar (Former Ginebra Assistant and Head Coach, Member of 1966 NCAA Champion Team)
- Cayetano "Tano" Salazar (Member of 1986 and 1987 NCAA Champion Team)
- Dwight Chua (Member of 1982-1984 NCAA Champion Team)
- Jerry Gonzales (1982 NCAA Jrs. MVP, current Letran Squires Asst. Coach)
- Antero "Terry" Saldaña (former PBA player, Member of 1979 NCAA Champion Team)
- Itoy Esguerra (former PBA player, member of 1979 NCAA Champion Team)
- Ramon San Juan (1979 NCAA MVP, Member of 1979 NCAA Champion Team)
- Gracito "Chito" Mojica (Member of 1979 NCAA Champion Team)
- Ricky Pineda (Member of 1970 NCAA Champion Team)
- Molet Pineda (former Letran head coach, Member of 1970 NCAA Champion Team)
- Aaron AbanAaron AbanAaron Abril G. Aban , better known as Aaron Aban, is a Filipino professional basketball player who currently plays for the Talk 'N Text Tropang Texters in the Philippine Basketball Association. Born in Cagayan de Oro City and went to Colegio de San Juan de Letran in college...
(Member of 2003 and 2005 NCAA Champion Team, 2005 NCAA Most Improved Player, currently plays for the Talk & Text Tropang Texters in the PBA) - Gido Babilonia (HS, played for USTUSTUST is a three letter acronym that may refer to:* Equatorial Guinea Workers' Union* Hong Kong University of Science and Technology * Northeast Florida Regional Airport in St...
in the UAAP, former PBA player) - Ed Ducut (former PBA player, Member of 1979 NCAA Champion Team)
- Tim Coloso (former PBA player, Member of 1979 NCAA Champion Team)
- Alfrancis ChuaAlfrancis ChuaAlfrancis Chua is a Filipino professional basketball coach formerly for the Sta. Lucia Realtors in the Philippine Basketball Association. He first coached the Tanduay Rhum Masters in both the Philippine Basketball League and the PBA during the 1990s...
(HS, former Sta. Lucia RealtorsSta. Lucia RealtorsThe Sta. Lucia Realtors was a professional basketball team in the Philippine Basketball Association.The Universal Robina Corporation team is one of the founding members of the PBA. Formerly known as Great Taste and Presto-Tivoli Ice Cream, they have won a total of 6 championships. Sta...
head coach) - Chris Cantonjos (HS, played for USTUSTUST is a three letter acronym that may refer to:* Equatorial Guinea Workers' Union* Hong Kong University of Science and Technology * Northeast Florida Regional Airport in St...
in the UAAP, 1995 UAAP MVP) - Alvin Magpantay (HS, played for De La SalleDe La SalleDe La Salle is the name of several educational institutions affiliated with the Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools, also known as the Lasallian Brothers, a Roman Catholic religious teaching order founded by French priest Saint Jean-Baptiste de la Salle:* Lasallian educational...
in the UAAP, former PBA player) - Jing Ruiz (former Letran Squires coach and Asst. Coach of the Seniors Team; current Head Coach of the Adamson Baby Falcons and Asst. Coach of Adamson Soaring FalconsAdamson Soaring FalconsThe Adamson Soaring Falcons are the collegiate men's varsity teams of Adamson University that play in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines. The collegiate women's varsity teams are called the Lady Falcons while the high school varsity teams are called the Baby Falcons.The...
, Member of 1986 and 1987 NCAA Champion Team, former PBA player) - Dong Libed (Member of 1986 and 1987 NCAA Champion Team, 1986 NCAA MVP)
- Art "The Wizard" Ayson (Member of 1986 and 1987 NCAA Champion Team, 1987 NCAA MVP, former PBA player)
- Justino "Tino" Pinat (former Letran Squires coach and current Asst. Coach of the Seniors team, Member of 1984, 1986 and 1987 NCAA Champion Team)
- Elmer Latonio (Letran Squires head coach and current Asst. Coach of the Seniors team, Member of 1982-1984 NCAA Champion Team)
- Allan Salangsang (played for Rain or Shine in the PBA, Member of 1998 and 1999 NCAA Champion Team) (currently playing for Philippine Patriots-ABL)
- Erwin Velez (former PBA player, Member of 1998 NCAA Champion Team)
- John Paul Prior (Member of 1998 NCAA Champion Team)
- William "Billy" Moody (former PBA player, Member of 1998 and 1999 NCAA Champion Team)
- Jose "Ipe" Pacheco (Member of 1998 and 1999 NCAA Champion Team, 1998 Finals MVP)
- Orlan Tama (Member of 1998 and 1999 NCAA Champion Team)
- Jason Misolas (currently plays for PoweradePoweradePowerade is a sports drink manufactured and marketed by The Coca-Cola Company. First introduced in 1988, its primary competitor is PepsiCo's Gatorade...
in the PBA, Member of 1998 and 1999 NCAA Champion Team) - Ismael Junio (2001 NCAA Rookie of the Year)
- Harold Sta.Cruz
- Fiel Dino Daa
- Michael Garcia (former PBAPhilippine Basketball AssociationThe Philippine Basketball Association , is a men's professional basketball league in the Philippines composed of 10 company-branded franchised teams. It is the first and oldest professional basketball league in Asia and the second oldest in the world after the NBA...
and MBA player) - Mike Mustre (former PBA player)
- Francis Arabit (Member of 1992 NCAA Champion Team)
- Oliver John "OJ" Cua (2002 NCAA Jrs. MVP, Member of 2001 NCAA Jrs. Champion Team, played for De La SalleDe La SalleDe La Salle is the name of several educational institutions affiliated with the Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools, also known as the Lasallian Brothers, a Roman Catholic religious teaching order founded by French priest Saint Jean-Baptiste de la Salle:* Lasallian educational...
in the UAAP)) - J.C. Intal (HS, played college for AteneoAteneo de Manila UniversityThe Ateneo de Manila University is a private teaching and research university run by the Society of Jesus in the Philippines. It began in 1859 when the City of Manila handed control of the Escuela Municipal de Manila in Intramuros, Manila, to the Jesuits...
, currently plays for Barangay Ginebra in the PBA, Member of 2001 NCAA Jrs. Champion Team) - Jay-R ReyesJay-R ReyesJay-R Reyes is a Filipino professional basketball player in the Philippine Basketball Association who currently plays for the Alaska Aces.-Rain or Shine:...
(2001 NCAA Jrs. Rookie of the Year, 2001 NCAA Jrs. MVP, 2001 NCAA Jrs. Finals MVP, Member of 2001 NCAA Jrs. Champion Team, played for Rain or Shine in the PBA) (currently playing for Air21) - Arthur Walsham (2002 NCAA Jrs. Rookie of the Year, played for De La SalleDe La SalleDe La Salle is the name of several educational institutions affiliated with the Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools, also known as the Lasallian Brothers, a Roman Catholic religious teaching order founded by French priest Saint Jean-Baptiste de la Salle:* Lasallian educational...
in the UAAP) - Paul Guerrero (former PBA player, Member of 1992 NCAA Champion Team)
- Jonathan Aldave (Member of 2003 and 2005 NCAA Champion Team, former PBA player)
- Hafer Mondragon (Member of 2005 NCAA Champion Team)
- John Paul Alcaraz (now plays for the Philippine PatriotsPhilippine PatriotsThe Philippine Patriots is a professional basketball team currently seeing action in the ASEAN Basketball League. The Philippines' representative team to the first ASEAN Basketball League, it is co-owned by Mikee Romero of Harbour Centre fame and businessman Tony Boy Cojuangco...
in the ABLABLABL is a three-letter acronym that may refer to:* Abl gene, an oncogene associated with chronic myelogenous leukemia* Abetalipoproteinemia, a rare genetic disorder...
, Member of 2005 NCAA Champion Team) - Kristoffer Reyes (current Letran Asst. Coach, Member of 1999 and 2003 NCAA Champion Team)
- Jonathan Piñera (Member of 2003 and 2005 NCAA Champion Team)
- Billy Ray Anabo (Member 2000 NCAA Jrs. 1st Runner up, Member 2000 NIKE 3on3 ASIAN CHAMPION, Member of 2003 and 2005 NCAA Champion Team)
- Bryan Faundo (now with the Brunei BarracudasBrunei BarracudasThe Brunei Barracudas, also known as Team Barracudas is a professional basketball team based in Brunei Darussalam which is seeing action in the newly formed international basketball league in Southeast Asia, the Asean Basketball League...
in the ABLABLABL is a three-letter acronym that may refer to:* Abl gene, an oncogene associated with chronic myelogenous leukemia* Abetalipoproteinemia, a rare genetic disorder...
, Member of 2005 NCAA Champion Team) - Mark Anthony "Big Mac" Andaya (now with Philippine PatriotsPhilippine PatriotsThe Philippine Patriots is a professional basketball team currently seeing action in the ASEAN Basketball League. The Philippines' representative team to the first ASEAN Basketball League, it is co-owned by Mikee Romero of Harbour Centre fame and businessman Tony Boy Cojuangco...
in the ABLABLABL is a three-letter acronym that may refer to:* Abl gene, an oncogene associated with chronic myelogenous leukemia* Abetalipoproteinemia, a rare genetic disorder...
, Member of 2005 NCAA Champion Team) - Andro Gil "Mikko" Quinday (Member of 2003 and 2005 NCAA Champion Team)
- Eric Rodriguez (currently plays for Air 21 in the PBA, Member of 2003 and 2005 NCAA Champion Team)
- Robert Ruiz (Member of 1986 and 1987 NCAA Champion Team)
- Mark Anthony Balneg (Member of 2001 NCAA Jrs. Champion Team, Member of 2003 and 2005 NCAA Champion Team)
- Rafael Joey Jazul (former player of the Smart Gilas Philippine Team, Member of 2001 NCAA Jrs. Champion Team, Member of 2005 NCAA Champion Team, 15th Overall pick in the 2010 PBA Draft2010 PBA DraftThe 2010 Philippine Basketball Association Rookie Draft is an event held at Market! Market! in Taguig City on August 29, 2010 that allowed PBA teams to draft players from the amateur ranks. Players who applied for the draft went through a rookie camp that lasted a week...
) - Rey Francis Guevarra (2005 and 2007 UAAP-NCAA Bantay Bata All-Star Slam Dunk Champion; former player of the Smart Gilas Philippine Team, Member of 2001 NCAA Jrs. Champion Team, 3rd Overall pick in the 2010 PBA Draft2010 PBA DraftThe 2010 Philippine Basketball Association Rookie Draft is an event held at Market! Market! in Taguig City on August 29, 2010 that allowed PBA teams to draft players from the amateur ranks. Players who applied for the draft went through a rookie camp that lasted a week...
) - John Carl "Kojack" Melegrito (Member of 2005 NCAA Champion Team)
History
Letran College had organized its own football team by 1911, known as the Letran Athletic Association. The team, nicknamed 'The Bohemians', won the national championship in the years up to 1917. Then, it joined the La Liga Catholica where it competed against Catholic schools. The Letran Booters joined the NCAA (Philippines) in 1932.The Letran Booters won several titles in the NCAA (Philippines), most notably during the 1980s, when they beat a fabled Mapua team with Taiwanese and foreign-bred players. However, due to financial restraints, Letran College discontinued the seniors football team in 2003.
Championships
- Seniors: 1983-1984, 1985–1986, 1986–1987, 1988–1989, 1997–1998, 2003, 2005
- Juniors: 1965-1966, 1987–1988, 1988–1989, 2001–2002. 2009
Notable players
- Antonio "Tony" Chua +Tony ChuaAntonio "Tony" Chua was a Filipino Chinese businessman. His family owns Photokina Marketing Corporation, which distributed Red Bull in the Philippines; he managed and was the governor of the Barako Bull Energy Boosters, the company's team in the Philippine Basketball Association in which he...
Juniors and Seniors Division (The first filipinoFilipino peopleThe Filipino people or Filipinos are an Austronesian ethnic group native to the islands of the Philippines. There are about 92 million Filipinos in the Philippines, and about 11 million living outside the Philippines ....
Football player to play in the Japanese Football League) - Melvin J. Pagdonzolan (GK) Seniors Division (1994–1997)
- Paolo "Gardo Versoza" Dela Cruz (FB)
- JonJon "Corps" Cornelio (F) Juniors 1995
- Reji Atangan (GK)(F)
- Xarex Velasquez(Team Captain-1998 Srs.Champion,Asst.Coach-2000 Jrs.Champion,Phil.Natl.Futsal Team)
- Robert James "RJ" Idea (F) (Played for both Juniors and Seniors and was part of the 1998 NCAA Seniors Division Champions)
- Jerome Villanueva (MF/Captain)
- Sherwin Salud (F)
- Aki Miraflor (MF)
- Gabby Lloyd Garcia (CB - Captain)
- Mayo Gabriel T. Miraflor (F/MF)
- Ron Atangan (F)
- Harold Meneses (F)
- Tom Belleza (CB/GK)
- Jonas DeLeon (MF / Head Coach 1988-1996)
- Marco Niño Guevarra (MF)
- Reggie Gazmen (CB)
- Dexter Allen Mina (MF)
- Don Guevarra (F)
- JP Pacheco (F)
- Francis Jumig (CF)
- Shuniel Salud (F)(Team Captain 1996-1997)
- Deoniño Uy (FB) Seniors div. 1995-1998
- Jose Bonifacio "JB" Casares III (F)Seniors Division 1994-1997
- Reynald "JoJo" Ramos (Team Captain 1995-1996)played for both juniors and seniors division
- Jerome Mitra (Forward)
- Cezar Mendiola (F)
- Nani Ramos (Played for Juniors and Seniors Division)
- Allan Paguio, Goal Keeper, 1998 Seniors Division Champions.
- JoBee Arellano(F)= Member 1998 NCAA Seniors Champions, Philippine National Football Team
- Alberto "Coach Bernie" Cordero (Head Coach 1998 NCAA Seniors Div. Champions)
Other sports
Letran was NCAA champion during the following seasons:- Chess
- Seniors: 1978-1979, 1979–1980, 1981–1982, 1985–1986
- Juniors: 1983-1984, 1987–1988, 1999–2000, 2000–2001, 2001–2002
- Softball
- Seniors: 1978-1979, 1979–1980
- Swimming
- Seniors: 1986-1987
- Juniors: 1983-1984, 1985–1986
- Table Tennis
- Seniors: 1985-1986, 1989–1990, 2000–2001, 2001–2002, 2002–2003, 2003–2004
- Juniors: 1986-1987, 1987–1988, 1988–1989, 1989–1990, 1990–1991, 1991–1992, 1997–1998, 1998–1999, 1999–2000, 2000–2001, 2001–2002
- Women's: 1998-1999,1999–2000,2001–2002,2002–2003,2003–2004
- Tennis
- Seniors: 1976-1976, 1984–1985, 1985–1986, 1999–2000, 2000–2001, 2001–2002
- Juniors: 1982-1983, 1998–1999, 1999–2000, 2001–2002
- Track & Field
- Seniors: 1978-1979, 1989–1990, 1997–1998, 1998–1999, 1999–2000
- Juniors: 1984-1985, 1986–1987, 2001-2001, 2001–2002, 2007–2008
- Volleyball
- Men: 1981-1982, 1982–1983, 1983–1984, 1990–1991, 1991–1992, 1992–1993, 1993–1994, 1998–1999, 1999–2000, 2000–2001, 2007–2008, 2008–2009
- Women: 1977-1978, 1978–1979, 1979–1980, 1980–1981, 1997–1998, 1998–1999
- Juniors: 1985-1986, 2001–2002, 2003–2004, 2004–2005
- General Championships:
- Seniors: 1979, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2009
- Juniors: 1983, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002