Letran College will be banking on its current high school coach, Allen Ricardo, to guide its men’s basketball team back to the title in Season 100 of the National Collegiate Athletic Association.
The Knights made the announcement on Friday morning, saying that Ricardo will be taking over the job vacated by Rensy Bajar on an interim basis.
Aside from being the architect of the Squires title run in Season 98 with Andy Gemao, George Diamante and Jonathan Manalili at the helm, Ricardo also served as skills coach of Louie Alas at Letran and was part of the Phoenix Super LPG coaching staff under Ariel Vanguardia in the Philippine Basketball Association.
He was also part of the Batang Gilas coaching staff that emerged fourth in the 2023 FIBA U16 Asian Championships in Qatar last September, the same tourney where Alas’ son — Kiefer — emerged as a member of the Mythical Team.
“We announce the appointment of Coach Allen Ricardo as the interim coach of the Letran Knights Basketball Team. Arriba Letran!” said the Knights, announcing the appointment that came at the heels of San Beda University star Chris Hubilla committing to Letran.
But tough challenges await Ricardo as the Knights are coming off a nightmarish 2-16 win-loss record in Season 99 last year.
Their last two titles came in Season 97 with Rhenz Abando as main man and Season 98 with Fran Yu, Louie Sangalang, King Caralipio and Brent Paraiso as key players.
