Next season should look promising for the heartbroken Letran Knights.

Fresh from losing to San Beda University in the finals of Season 101 of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), the Knights have no choice but to move forward, head coach Allen Ricardo said.

Besides, only three players are leaving Intramuros and won’t be back for Season 102: Mark Omega, Deo Cuajao and Jun Roque.

“Like you said, we’re used to winning but unfortunately, we lost. But we’re not going to give up easily,” Ricardo said.

“Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose but the most important thing in life is we need to handle this properly as we try to get the crown for next season.”

Letran rookie Jonathan Manalili admitted he still has a lot to work on after falling short of clinching the championship in his first season.

Manalili was hailed as the Freshman of the Year, Rookie of the Year, and Mythical Team member. 

“I will work hard in the off-season. I need to work on everything,” Manalili said.

“I need to tell the rookies for next season they need to work since college basketball is different from high school.”

From a sixth-place finish in Season 100, Letran made it to the championship round this year.

Finishing in third place in Group B with an 8-5 win-loss record, the Knights overcame a twice-to-beat disadvantage to eliminate Arellano University in the quarterfinals.

Letran then swept University of Perpetual Help System Dalta in their best-of-three semifinals to book a spot in the finals for the first time since completing a three-peat in 2022.

In reality, the Knights did quite well.