The Letran Knights simply could not allow a shaky start to ruin their chances of winning their 21st championship title.

This, after the Intramuros-based squad barged to the NCAA Season 101 men’s basketball finals after holding off University of the Perpetual Help System-Dalta (UPHSD), 74-70 in their semifinals duel, 6 December 2025 at Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City. 

Before reaching the finals, Letran took the rough road after losing their first three matches, against Jose Rizal University (JRU), San Beda University (SBU) and College of Saint Benilde (CSB), not until they faced Emilio Aguinaldo College (EAC) which gave them their hard-earned first win of the season. 

“When we started winning, with EAC, that's our fourth game. Of course, it's hard to get the first win,” Letran head coach Allen Ricardo said to DAILY TRIBUNE. 

For Ricardo, the early damage they endured only taught them to be accountable, as the team already knew how to lose but they should also know how to recover. 

The Knights then finished the elimination round at 8-5, pummeled Arellano University (AU) twice in the quarterfinals, beat early league-leaders Perpetual Altas twice in the semifinals, and are now gunning for their 21st title in the grand old league. 

After two forgettable seasons 

In addition to their challenging beginnings where they started the season at 0-3, Ricardo also remembered his “heartbreaking” debut as the head coach in the seniors rank last year which drove them to improve further. 

“They just surrendered themselves to me. We did a lot of bondings. We joined a lot of pocket tournaments and international tournaments. That's where our team was formed,” he expressed. 

“First and foremost, you have to make them feel that they are important and that you love them. You don't want them to feel like they're just a part of the practice. You have to make them feel that they are family,” he continued. 

Ricardo looked back on those times and called them 'testing waters,' where they finished 8-10, sixth overall in the final standings of NCAA Season 100. 

“Supposedly, we were supposed to win. We were supposed to be 4th. I said that this can't happen,” the second-year head coach reflected. 

“I won't allow that in the next year, we won't make it to the Final Four and we won't make it to the championship. And you know, we're blessed that we're here in this situation,” he added. 

As of now, the Knights are waiting for their final opponent between their familiar foes Benilde Blazers and their long-time rivals San Beda Red Lions, which will have their rubber match on Sunday, 7 December 2025 at Araneta Coliseum.