2025 Letran Knights basketball team

2025 Letran Knights men's basketball
Record
Elims rank	#
2025 record	-
Head coach	Allen Ricardo (2nd season)
Assistant coaches	Kris Reyes (First Assistant) Rey Nambatac Michael Buendia Beaujing Acot
Captain	Mark Omega (4th season)
Seasons ←  2024 2026 →

The 2025 Letran Knights men's basketball team is representing 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]

Coaching changes

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. ^[3]

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 ^{[4] [5]} , while Galoy is playing for Taguig Generals in NBL-Pilipinas. ^[6]

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. ^[7] Another guard, ex-Tiger Cub James Jumao-as, decided to return to University of Santo Tomas after playing for the Knights in two seasons. ^[8] 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. ^[9]

Alejandro is 6'4 forward wo 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, to go with 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. ^[9]

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. ^[10]

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. ^{[11] [12]}

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. ^{[13] [14]}

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. ^[15]

Buensalida last played for the De La Salle Green Archers in the UAAP for two seasons. ^[16]

Tapenio last played for the St. Clare Colleges Saints in NAASCU, where they won their sixth consecutive championship crown. ^[17]

Roster

Letran Knights roster
Players	Coaches
Pos. No. Nat. Name Height Year High School PF 6 Alejandro, John Edry Cyrehl A. 6'4" (1.93m) 1 University of the East G 91 Baliling, Jovel 5'11" (1.8m) 2 Colegio de San Juan de Letran F 14 Buensalida, Aaron James 6'5" (1.96m) 1 Nazareth School-NU G 29 Cuajao, Vince Petdeo D. 6'1" (1.85m) 3 Holy Child College of Davao G 26 Estrada, John Sherick 6'0" (1.83m) 2 St. Clare College Caloocan G 1 Gammad, Lorge Reinier Chad B. 6'0" (1.83m) 1 A.R. MacNeill Secondary School G 77 Gazzingan, Alex 6'2" (1.88m) 1 Colegio de San Juan de Letran PG 13 Manalili, Jonathan Moses 6'0" (1.83m) 1 Colegio de San Juan de Letran PG 7 Montecillo, Nathaniel 5'9" (1.75m) 2 UP Integrated School SG 28 Mundas, Edvil Christian 6'1" (1.85m) 1 Holy Child College of Davao C 23 Omega, Mark Denver  (C) 6'5" (1.96m) 4 Colegio de San Juan de Letran F 34 Poli, Joss Matthew 6'3" (1.91m) 1 Lyceum of the Philippines University SF 0 Roque, Arthur I. 6'4" (1.93m) 3 Colegio de San Juan de Letran PG 11 Rosilio, Peter Ryle 5'10" (1.78m) 2 Adamson University C 4 Santos, Kevin Kyle 6'6" (1.98m) 4 St. Augustine Institute of Pampanga F 15 Silorio, Syrex June 6'3" (1.91m) 1 Colegio de San Juan de Letran F 5 Tapenio, Luiz Gaveriel S. 6'2" (1.88m) 1 New Prodon Academy Valenzuela G 18 Yusi, Elijah Ray 6'2" (1.88m) 1 Arellano University	Head coach Joseph Allen Ricardo Assistant coach(es) Kristoffer Reyes (First Assistant) Michael Gregg Buendia Rey Benedict Nambatac Beaujing Acot John Carl Melegrito Jinino Manansala Bong Solian Mac Villarba Melo Banua John Necesito Strength & conditioning coach(es) Brian Cay Team Staff Mark Anthony Guiao Team manager John Paul Beltrano Seth Jarell Diamse (assistant) Joshua Railey Motio (assistant) Legend (C) Team captain Injured

Depth chart

Pos.	Starting 5	Bench
C
PF
SF
SG
PG

NCAA Season 101 games results

Further information: NCAA Season 101 basketball tournaments

Elimination games are played in a revamped tournament format inspired by the NBA play-in tournament and the U.S. NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament. All games are aired on GTV and Heart of Asia Channel, and livestreamed via the Facebook pages and YouTube channels of NCAA Philippines and GMA Sports.

Date	Time	Opponent	Venue	Result	Record
Eliminations
Oct 3	2:30 p.m.	JRU Heavy Bombers	Playtime Filoil Centre • San Juan	L 69-73	0-1
Game Highs: Points: Estrada – 14; Rebounds: Santos – 11; Assists: Estrada – 4
Oct 5	2:30 p.m.	San Beda Red Lions	Playtime Filoil Centre • San Juan	L 58-68	0-2
Game Highs: Points: Manalili – 13; Rebounds: Tapenio – 8; Assists: Manalili – 6
Oct 8	2:30 p.m	Benilde Blazers	Playtime Filoil Centre • San Juan
Oct 11	11:00 a.m.	EAC Generals	Mall of Asia Arena • Pasay
Oct 15	2:30 p.m.	Perpetual Altas	Playtime Filoil Centre • San Juan
Oct 18	2:30 p.m.	LPU Pirates	Playtime Filoil Centre • San Juan
Oct 21	11:00 a.m.	Mapúa Cardinals	Playtime Filoil Centre • San Juan
Oct 26	2:30 p.m.	Arellano Chiefs	Playtime Filoil Centre • San Juan
Oct 29	11:00 a.m.	San Sebastian Stags	Playtime Filoil Centre • San Juan
Nov 8	11:00 a.m.	JRU Heavy Bombers	Playtime Filoil Centre • San Juan
Nov 11	2:30 p.m.	San Beda Red Lions	Playtime Filoil Centre • San Juan
Nov 14	2:30 p.m.	Benilde Blazers	Playtime Filoil Centre • San Juan
Nov 16	2:30 p.m.	EAC Generals	Playtime Filoil Centre • San Juan
-

Times listed above are in UTC+08:00

Source: Pong Ducanes, Imperium Technology, Inc.

References

1. Li, Matthew (July 8, 2025). "NCAA 101 ushers in new era with group stages, play-ins, expanded playoffs". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved September 25, 2025.
2. Jacinto, Christian (August 29, 2025). "Letran, Benilde, San Beda all together in NCAA 101 group of death". SPIN.ph. Retrieved September 30, 2025.
3. Bergado, Gwen (July 10, 2025). "Letran legend Kojak Melegrito adds 'angas' to Knights bench". SPIN.ph. Retrieved September 26, 2025.
4. "MPBL: Mindoro Tamaraws get back on track with win over Marikina". SPIN.ph. May 1, 2025. Retrieved September 30, 2025.
5. "Gritty Caloocan survives Pampanga". Daily Tribune. May 21, 2025. Retrieved September 30, 2025.
6. Terrado, Reuben (August 25, 2025). "Galoy hits game-winner as Taguig beats Tikas in NBL finals Game 3". SPIN.ph. Retrieved September 30, 2025.
7. Ganglani, Naveen (May 1, 2025). "Jace Miller Transfers to Lyceum After Promising Year with Letran". All-Star Magazine. Retrieved September 26, 2025.
8. Dongiapon, Rob Andrew (June 10, 2025). "Ex-Tiger Cub James Jumao-as returns to UST after Letran exit". The Varsitarian. Retrieved September 26, 2025.
9. Anzures, Romwel (March 7, 2024). "Jared Bahay, Kieffer Alas headline NBTC 2024's Top 24". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved September 26, 2025.
10. "Letran bags Fil-Canadian NBTC standout Chad Gammad". SPIN.ph. April 6, 2025. Retrieved September 26, 2025.
11. Saberon-Abalayan, Marianne (June 6, 2025). "Davao Eagles standout Mundas joins Letran Knights after Palaro gold win". SunStar. Retrieved September 26, 2025.
12. Micaller, Bea (September 29, 2025). "NCAA Season 101 Group B Preview: Letran, Benilde, EAC, JRU, San Beda". GMA News. Retrieved September 30, 2025.
13. Micaller, Bea (April 24, 2024). "Jun Roque transfers to Letran after two-year stint with Perpetual". GMA News. Retrieved September 26, 2025.
14. Micaller, Bea (February 5, 2024). "Shawn Umali commits to transfer to Benilde; Mark Denver Omega comes home to Letran". GMA News. Retrieved September 26, 2025.
15. Li, Matthew (February 5, 2024). "Peter Rosillo transfers from Mapua to Letran". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved September 26, 2025.
16. Ganglani, Naveen (July 2, 2024). "Aaron Buensalida departs La Salle, joins Letran Knights in NCAA". All-Star Magazine. Retrieved September 26, 2025.
17. "St. Clare Saints clinch sixth straight NAASCU men's basketball crown". Fastbreak.com.ph. December 13, 2023. Retrieved September 26, 2025.