MANILA, Philippines – Two years removed from an emotional title run, the Colegio de San Juan de Letran Knights are eager to get back to the top of the mountain.

Season 92 record: 9-9

Season 92 summary: Letran's title defense obviously did not go as planned. Losing Mark Cruz and Kevin Racal to graduation put a lot of pressure on the shoulders of Rey Nambatac, who ran out of steam after a sizzling start to the season.

Though the Knights got off to a good start, they suffered a crucial five-game losing streak in the middle of the second round, which dealt a blow to their Final 4 aspirations.

Key losses: Jom Sollano, McJour Luib, Felix Apreku

Key returnees: Rey Nambatac, Bong Quinto, Jerrick Balanza, JP Calvo

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Projection: Most of the key members of Letran's Season 91 title team have left the team, with Nambatac the lone remaining player who saw plenty of action that year.

However, this only means that new players are stepping up for the Knights. With McJour Luib already graduating, the point guard position is now being manned by JP Calvo, who has proven his skill and toughness in the preseason.

While Nambatac remains their main option, Bong Quinto and Jerrick Balanza have also established themselves as players to watch. When Nambatac went down due to injury in the preseason, both forwards stepped up to lead the Knights on both ends of the floor.

Nambatac is fully confident that the Knights can return to the Final 4 this year, even as they will again play without the help of a foreign student-athlete. Letran has always taken pride in playing all-Filipino, and that will not change this year when they go to battle in the NCAA.

In their own words: "Na-prove na namin, so kaya namin ulit. Sanay naman kami na ganoon 'yung line-up namin. Para sa amin kasi, kaming mga taga-Letran, 'di kami naniniwala sa palakihan lang ng height. It's all about heart pa rin." – Rey Nambatac

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