2025 Letran Knights basketball team
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| 2025 Letran Knights men's basketball | |
|---|---|
NCAA Season 101 runner-up | |
| Record | |
| Elims rank | #3 |
| Final rank | #2 |
| 2025 record | 12-7 (8-5 elims) |
| Head coach | Allen Ricardo (2nd season) |
| Assistant coaches | Kris Reyes (First Assistant) Rey Nambatac Michael Buendia Beaujing Acot |
| Captain | Mark Omega (4th season) |
The 2025 Letran Knights men's basketball team represented Colegio de San Juan de Letran in the 101st season of the National Collegiate Athletic Association in the Philippines. The men's basketball tournament for the school year 2025-26 began on October 1, 2025, and the host school for the season is Mapúa University.[1]
In a new tournament format introduced this season, the Knights were grouped alongside San Beda, CSB, JRU, and EAC.[2]
The Knights finished the elimination round at third place in Group B with 8 wins and 5 losses.[3] They returned to the Final Four after three years by defeating the Arellano Chiefs twice.[4]
The Knights returned to the Finals for the first time in three years after beating top-seed Perpetual Altas in two games.[5] However, they have failed to capture the title as the San Beda Red Lions defeat them in two games.[6]
Letran rookie guard Jonathan Manalili was named the Rookie of the Year, Freshman of the Year, and Mythical Five member, while veteran big man Kevin Santos bagged the All-Defensive Team and Mythical Five honors.[7]
Added to the team's assistant coaches is former Letran Knight John Carl "Kojack" Melegrito. Melegrito last played for the Knights during the tenure of Louie Alas.[8]
Roster changes
The Knights lost several players from previous season. Pao Javillonar graduated from college, while Kobe Monje will be ineligible to play due to his age. Javillanor is playing for Converge FiberXers in the PBA, while Monje was drafted in the 2025 PBA draft.
Rafael Go, CJ Delfino, and Edzel Galoy decided to forewent their eligibilities to turn professional. Go and Delfino are playing for their respective teams in Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League,[9][10] while Galoy is playing for Taguig Generals in NBL-Pilipinas.[11]
Several key players from last season transferred to other schools. Filipino-American point guard Jace Miller decided to transfer to Lyceum of the Philippines University.[12] Another guard, ex-Tiger Cub James Jumao-as, decided to return to University of Santo Tomas after playing for the Knights in two seasons.[13] Joseph Nunag transferred to Emilio Aguinaldo College, while James Pradella and Mark Sarza both transferred to Centro Escolar University.
Among the rookies who will suit up for the Knights are Jonathan Manalili, Edry Alejandro, and Chad Gammad.
Manalili is a two-time NCAA Juniors Basketball champion from the Squires program. In NCAA Season 98, he averaged 16.08 points, 6.92 assists, 4.23 rebounds, and 2.46 steals per game. He was also named NCAA Finals MVP. Manalili was named the sixth best high school player for 2024 by the National Basketball Training Center.[14]
Alejandro is 6'4 forward who was one of the key pieces of the UE Junior Warriors' title run in UAAP Season 87. He averaged 9.21 points on 44-percent shooting, 9.8 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and 1.1 steals. Like Manalili, Alejandro was also in the Top 24 best high school players in 2024 by NBTC, ranking 14th.[14]
Chad Gammad is a Filipino-Canadian player who last played for Top Flight Hoops Canada in NBTC Division 2, where they won as champions. He was named in the Mythical team and averaged 31.2 points, including 44.2-percent from threes, 5.2 rebounds and 2.2 assists.[15]
Other rookies include Syrex Silorio and Lex Gazzingan also from the Squires, Joss Poli from Lyceum Junior Pirates program, Elijah Yusi from the Arellano Braves, and Edvil Mundas, one of the key players behind Davao Region’s historic gold medal win in secondary boys basketball at the 2025 Palarong Pambansa.[16][17]
Among the transferees who will play for the Knights are Mark Omega, Jun Roque, Peter Rosilio, Aaron Buensalida, and Luiz Tapenio.
Omega and Roque, who were also ex-Squires, both played as key players for the Perpetual Help Altas in NCAA Season 99. Roque was also recognized in that season, joining the Mythical team selection.[18][19]
Rosilio last played for the Mapúa Cardinals in NCAA Season 99. He averaged 4.41 points, 3.06 rebounds, and 1.39 assists and was one of the key pieces of the Cardinals' Finals run in that season.[20]
Buensalida last played for the De La Salle Green Archers in the UAAP for two seasons.[21]
Tapenio last played for the St. Clare Colleges Saints in NAASCU, where they won their sixth consecutive championship crown.[22]
Roster
| Letran Knights roster | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Players | Coaches | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Team Staff
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Depth chart
| Pos. | Starting 5 | Bench 1 | Bench 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| C | Santos | Omega | Poli |
| PF | Buensalida | Tapenio | Silorio |
| SF | Cuajao | Roque | Gazzingan |
| SG | Estrada | Gammad | Yusi |
| PG | Manalili | Rosilio | Montecillo |