Reigning champion Letran and rival University of Perpetual Help are out to open 2025 in style as they headline the NCAA Season 100 juniors basketball tournament quadruple-header opener on Feb. 24 at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City.
Gunning for a three-peat without their star Titing Manalili, the Squires begin their title defense against Lyceum Junior Pirates at 8 a.m. in a duel that serves as the curtain raiser
The Junior Altas, on the hand, battle the Mapua-Malayan Red Robins at 10 a.m.
For the afternoon showdown, the Arellano Braves tangle with the Jose Rizal University Light Bombers at 12 noon while the San Beda Red Cubs and the EAC Brigadiers square off at 4 p.m.
And with the departure of Season 99 Finals MVP Manalili and coach Allen Ricardo going to handle their senior team, Marbel’s rising star Syrex Silorio is expected to lead the Intramuros-based squad to the Promised Land once again with challenges loom bigger and tougher much tougher this time.
Joph Cleopas, a Cebuano native, targets to bring home the bacon this time around for Perpetual which is longing for its first-ever junior crown since joining the grand old league in 1985.
Even without Amiel Acido who is set to play in the collegiate ranks, the Junior Altas are confident in their arsenals in Lebron Jhames Daep, Jan Roluna, Aries Borja, Kelsey Baldoria, Icee Callangan, JD Pagulayan, Jericho Cristino, TJ Tabbuan and Lance Nitura.
Aside from its mainstays, Perpetual injected premium youngsters in Batang Gilas’ Kurt Velasquez and Louie Rosales along with Cebuanos Kurt Patalinghug and Renzo Zanoria.
“We are focused and determined to win, one game at a time and noticed that the team to beat this season is Letran, Mapua, San Beda U and EAC,” said Cleopas.
Player-turned-coach Willie Miller will call the shots for the Squires with new reinforcements in Dwyne Miranda and Daryl Valdeavilla leading at the forefront.
The tournament’s format remains as a single round robin with each team battling one another until its conclusion on March 31.
As usual, the top four teams will qualify for the playoff where No. 1 and No. 2 teams will earn a twice-to-beat advantage.
Finals is going to be a best-of-three affair
