New-look Letran kicks off title defense as new NCAA season begins

ABS-CBN News

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img alt="Handout/FilOil." src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2023/news/06/05/letran-06052023.jpg"/><figcaption>Letran captain Kurt Reyson. Handout/FilOil.</figcaption></figure></div>MANILA -- A revamped Letran side kicks off its title defense on Sunday when the NCAA Season 99 basketball tournament opens at the Mall of Asia Arena.The Knights will face off against Jose Rizal University at 3:00 p.m., after the opening ceremonies scheduled for 2:00 p.m.Letran now features a new coach in Rensy Bajar, who has been tapped to take over from Bonnie Tan. They are also moving forward after losing Fran Yu, Louie Sangalang, Brent Paraiso, King Caralipio and Tommy Olivario -- all of whom played vital roles in last year&#x27;s title-winning campaign.&quot;We lost some of the leaders of the team and key players from past campaigns but we will work harder to compete and make the school and our fans proud,&quot; said Bajar.Expected to carry the mantle of responsibility for the Knights is Kurt Reyson as their new team captain.&quot;[I] will do my best to try to lead by example,&quot; said Reyson, who showcased his readiness with some high-scoring performances in preseason tournaments.For the Heavy Bombers, it&#x27;s all about improving upon last season&#x27;s campaign after they labored to a 7-11 win-loss record. &quot;I expect better days,&quot; said coach Louie Gonzales. College of St. Benilde, runners up the past two seasons, launches its own title bid minus reigning MVP Will Gozum, who will serve a one-game suspension following a head-butting incident that also involved Letran’s Pao Javillonar in the deciding Game 3 of last season’s finale.The Blazers will be battling the Lyceum of the Philippines University Pirates at 5:30 p.m.&quot;We will be out without Will Gozum but we will go out there and compete,&quot; said CSB mentor Charles Tiu, who is expected to parade an almost intact team headed by skipper Robi Nayve, Miguel Oczon, Mark Sangco, Miguel Corteza and Prince Carlos.LPU coach Gilbert Malabanan vowed to pick up from a strong effort a year ago when they finished in the Final Four.&quot;We learned a lot from last season and we hope to continue learning this year,&quot; said Malabanan, whose roster has returnees, skipper Enoch Valdez, McLaude Guadana, Shawn Umali and John Bravo among others.

A revamped Letran side kicks off its title defense on Sunday when the NCAA Season 99 basketball tournament opens at the Mall of Asia Arena.

New-look Letran kicks off title defense as new NCAA season begins | ABS-CBN

Halalan 2025

Entertainment

News

Metro.Style

Lifestyle

Sports

More

Traffic

Horoscope

Sports

New-look Letran kicks off title defense as new NCAA season begins

New-look Letran kicks off title defense as new NCAA season begins

ABS-CBN News

Published Sep 24, 2023 01:39 AM PHT

Read More:

basketball

NCAA

NCAA Season 99

NCAA Basketball

Letran Knights

JRU Heavy Bombers

CSB Blazers

Lyceum Pirates

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2025 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2025 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2025 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.