By: Aliahcorr Balanon, Sophia Pacheco
Photo Courtesy: Zabrina Hong/The LANCE
The Letran community roared with arriba spirit as the NCAA Season 101 officially began with Pep Rally 2025, held Thursday, Sept. 25, at the St. Thomas grounds. This year’s celebration carried the theme “Building Greatness,” highlighting the shared commitment to excellence that fuels every Knight’s journey.
Prior to the festivities, the Letran community gathered at the chapel for a Mass presided by Rev. Fr. Raymund Fernando P. Jose, O.P., Rector, alongside Rev. Fr. Victor C. Calvo Jr., O.P., Athletics Moderator.
The Letran Band and Letran Cheering Squad were at the forefront of the celebrations, joined by Media Works, who hosted the event and provided icebreakers, engaging the Letran community to showcase their full support for the student-athletes.
Rev. Fr. Calvo Jr. delivered an opening message to the athletes, emphasizing the collective effort behind every athlete’s journey. “Ipakita ninyo ‘yung arriba spirit, ‘yung cheers and yells, at iparamdam niyo sa buong NCAA, sa buong Pilipinas, at sa buong mundo, ang Season 101 ay para sa Letran,” urging the community to bring out its trademark fire.
Letran’s vision for NCAA Season 101
Fr. Calvo Jr. told the LANCE in an interview, that the pep rally is more than just tradition—it’s a cultural anchor.
“It’s more than a symbolic activity. It's a community activity that we are interconnected… kasi ‘yung sports naman its a unifying factor kaya its more on culture. It's the only time you can gather the alumni, the administrators, the students, to celebrate, so ‘yun ‘yung nirerepresent ng pep rally. We motivate them to unify the whole community through sports,” he bared.
Student-athletes also shared their aspirations, goals, and challenges for this year's NCAA season, as they want to carry on the Letran legacy and inspire future generations to come.
From the CyberKnights, team captain Jade Mercado emphasized that their sights are set on nothing less than back-to-back titles, “Ang goal po namin ngayon is makapag back-to-back champions para sa season 101, and ‘yung mga gusto po namin gawin ngayon is mag-practice po and makapagbatak pa para mabigay pa rin namin ‘yung best namin hanggang sa pag-graduate namin since lahat kami graduating na ngayon.”, the esports champion expressed.
On the track and field, the teams are also determined to push boundaries. John Paul Pontines of the Track and Field team noted how their preparations have become more disciplined compared to the past season.
“Nakikita ko ngayon na sobrang pinagbubutihan namin ‘yung sa ensayo kesa sa previous season, na parang kulang kami sa preparations kasi more on academic kami. Ngayon, talagang pinagtiyagaan namin, umulan man o umaraw, talagang nandoon kami sa ensayo,” the trackster shared.
Backing his athletes, Coach Gerry T. Atabay highlighted their shared objective of reaching new heights by showing great performance and surpassing their personal bests.
In the volleyball court, the challenge lies in carrying the team through fierce competition. Natalie Marie Estreller of the Women’s Volleyball Team acknowledged the weight of the pressure but remains determined to rise from it.
“For me, syempre ‘yung pressure na bitbitin ‘yung team ngayong season kasi lahat ng mga teams ngayon sa NCAA ay nagi-improve talaga sila and madami silang mga new players kaya ayun ‘yung mga pressures na na-tatake ko ngayon,” said by the veteran setter of the Lady Knights.
Mark Denver Omega, a senior Knight and now a Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) draftee, credited Letran for instilling lessons that he will carry into his professional career later on.
Omega also wished for the team’s resurgence as the NCAA Season 101 title holders.
“Ang advice ko lalo sa seniors, galingan lang natin at mag-prepare para makuha yung championship this season,” the 6-foot-5 center advised.
Head Coach Allen Ricardo echoed this drive emphasizing that the Knights are determined to finish stronger this year after falling short last season, he highlighted the team’s progress from Season 100 to this coming season, noting the impact of players from High School alongside with the recruits from other schools.
“From Season 100, going to Season 101, there's a drastic change, ang laki ng pinagbago because yung mga players na kinuha ko, or yung mga players ko in High School will play this year, also yung mga recruit natin from other schools will play this year so, I'm very confident that they already surrendered themselves to the system,” he explained.
The Knights basketball team prepared through intensive training, tune-up games and pocket tournaments that tested not only their physical but also emotional limits. With tradition, pride and faith guiding them, the team are hopeful that Season 101 will end with the championship back in Muralla.
The Letran community rallied behind its athletes and concluded the pep rally with the blessing of the student-athletes and singing of the Himno del Colegio.