Colegio de San Juan de Letran head coach Allen Ricardo against Emilio Aguinaldo College in NCAA Season 102 men’s basketball. Angela Davocol/NCAA Philippines.MANILA — From Louie Alas’ hard-nosed squads to Aldin Ayo’s ‘Mayhem’ and Bonnie Tan’s three-peat team, defense has long been the foundation of Colegio de San Juan de Letran’s title runs, and Allen Ricardo is now instilling that same edge in his Knights as they chase another crown in NCAA Season 102.
READ: Alas urges Ateneo to forge Letran-tested defensive identity
“Tawag ko dun ‘The Rapture.’ That’s 94 feet, and eventually naman, nag-pick up,” said head coach Ricardo, as Letran remained unbeaten after three games. “We’re just trying to play hard defense.”
With only Kevin Santos and Aaron Buensalida serving as the Knights’ big men, Ricardo has emphasized the need for his squad to wreak havoc on the defensive end as they battle bigger and taller teams.
“Sila lang yung malalaki namin, so ang gusto kong mangyari, mabilis ang laro. Wala pang seconds [after a basket], andoon na kami agad to press, forcing turnovers. That’s what we practice, those are habits,” he said.
The approach can be seen on paper so far, with Letran leading the NCAA in lowest field-goal percentage allowed at 37.07%, opponent turnovers at 25.0 per game, and opponent starter points allowed at 34.7 per game.
Ricardo, however, acknowledges how taxing it is to sustain that intensity for 40 minutes, which is why he wants it to become second nature to his players through repetition in practice.
“Hindi mo naman yan makukuha ng first quarter, first half, so it’s all about mental and physical toughness ng mga bata,” he said. “That’s why nakakuha kami ng momentum, ng forced turnovers then into turnover points, and yun talaga ang biggest factor ng past few games.”
Blue and Red’s blueprint?
Colegio de San Juan de Letran against Emilio Aguinaldo College in NCAA Season 102 men’s basketball. Angela Davocol/NCAA Philippines.While that identity has been a hallmark of Letran’s successful teams through the years, Ricardo knows his version still has to prove itself at the collegiate level.
The third-year mentor’s system has already produced results in the high school ranks, with current stars Titing Manalili and George Diamante leading the Squires to back-to-back championships in Seasons 98 and 99.
Still, Ricardo knows that replicating that success is easier said than done, which is why he treats his high school experience as a lesson rather than proof of what his current Knights can accomplish.
“Binabalikan ko yung high school days, yung journey ko nung first year, last year, and yung what went good, what went bad,” he said. “And again, babalik kami sa fundamentals ng game.”
And as Letran continues its redemption tour, Ricardo is making sure his Knights remain relentless, particularly when it comes to applying pressure.
“I’m trying to push them to the next level, na bawal mapagod. Yan yung sinasabi ko sa kanila, kasi sooner or later, ito rin naman yung mag-aahon sa inyo,” he said. “Maraming press break na gagawin sa amin, but we’re always ready.”
RELATED VIDEO: