Romwel Anzures

Colegio de San Juan de Letran against Jose Rizal University in the 19th FilOil Preseason Cup semifinals. Photo from 19th FilOil Preseason Cup.

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ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1786344992902HDP_1760.jpeg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960" alt="Colegio de San Juan de Letran against Jose Rizal University in the 19th FilOil Preseason Cup semifinals. Photo from 19th FilOil Preseason Cup."/>Colegio de San Juan de Letran against Jose Rizal University in the 19th FilOil Preseason Cup semifinals. Photo from 19th FilOil Preseason Cup.MANILA — Jose Rizal University showed why it is the real deal throughout the offseason, and Colegio de San Juan de Letran head coach Allen Ricardo is among those who took notice of the Heavy Bombers’ rise.</div>“Yung JRU, in terms of rotation, in terms of how they do things offensively and defensively, ang taas talaga ng nilaro nila,” Ricardo told ABS-CBN News, as the Knights continue their preparations for the NCAA Season 102 men’s basketball tournament.Letran was ousted by eventual champions Jose Rizal U in the 19th FilOil Preseason Cup semifinals, 73-82, with the Heavy Bombers being the lone squad to defeat the Knights in the tournament.For Ricardo, aside from the talent transferees Chris Hubilla and Lawrence Mangubat have brought to the squad, it is how JRU head coach Nani Epondulan has utilized his roster that has made the biggest difference.“I give credit to coach Nani and to the rest of the coaching staff,” he said. “Nakita naming deep yung bench nila, at yung focal points ng offense nila, at talagang nag-improve sila.”Letran, for its part, also had an impressive run in FilOil, riding a nine-game win streak en route to the semis, which included a 103-102 stunner over University of Santo Tomas in the quarterfinals.And while the Heavy Bombers proved to be a thorn in their side, with the Knights opening and closing their campaign with losses to JRU, Ricardo remains upbeat about their chances come the actual NCAA season.“Malayo pa naman ‘to, babalik na lang ulit kami to get better,” he said. “Na-achieve naman namin yung gusto kong ma-achieve.”Ricardo also expressed confidence that they will eventually solve JRU, a squad that has been a challenge for Letran in recent years.“Ang haba na ng tinahak namin, but good thing na nakita na namin how JRU plays,” said Ricardo, whose Letran side has beaten JRU just twice in their last six NCAA meetings. “Makakaharap at makakaharap namin ulit sila.”

Jose Rizal University showed why it is the real deal throughout the offseason, and Colegio de San Juan de Letran head coach Allen Ricardo is among those who took notice of the Heavy Bombers’ rise.

Jose Rizal University showed why it is the real deal throughout the offseason, and Colegio de San Juan de Letran head coach Allen Ricardo is among those who took notice of the Heavy Bombers’ rise.

NCAA: Ricardo, Letran wary of ‘deep, improved’ Jose Rizal U

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NCAA: Ricardo, Letran wary of ‘deep, improved’ Jose Rizal U

Rom Anzures,

ABS-CBN News

Published August 10, 2026 03:16 PM PHT

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