Letran set for fresh start, names Allen Ricardo as interim coach

 Incoming Letran Knights interim head coach Allen Ricardo. Photo courtesy of The LANCE-Letran. 

MANILA — Colegio de San Juan de Letran’s busy off-season is in full swing.

The Knights have appointed Allen Ricardo of the Squires as their interim head coach, they announced Friday morning. 

Ricardo, who at the moment is doing double duties for the Muralla-based squad, is expected to call the shots for the Knights starting in NCAA Season 100.

He will be stepping in place of Rensy Bajar, who mentored the team last year.

A former deputy of three-peat champion coach Bonnie Tan, Bajar was named Letran’s new mentor in 2023 following Tan’s exit from the institution. 

Unfortunately, despite having key holdovers such as Kurt Reyson, Kobe Monje, Pao Javillonar, Kevin Santos, and Raf Go, the team only won two out of their 18 games in Season 99 under Bajar’s tutelage.

This was Letran’s worst performance in its history in the NCAA.

Meanwhile, Ricardo was the architect of the 2023 Squires team that ended a two-decade NCAA juniors’ title drought. 

A Letranite himself, Ricardo previously handled the school’s elementary squad, the Letran Pages, and also volunteered to be a part of former coach Louie Alas’ staff in the late 2000s.

After going on a personal journey to immerse himself further in the world of coaching, Ricardo eventually returned in 2023 to Letran, leading their juniors squad to an almost flawless campaign in Season 98.

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This time, alongside the squad’s recruits, he will try to jumpstart the Knights’ rebuild starting the league’s centennial season.