The Letran Knights dethroned San Beda to claim the Season 95 crown. File photo. George Calvelo, ABS-CBN News
MANILA, Philippines -- Defending NCAA basketball champion -- and incoming Season 96 host -- Colegio de San Juan de Letran honored ABS-CBN Sports+Action for its contributions to the school's rise in recent years.
The Letran Knights won the NCAA title in 2015, the year that the league returned to ABS-CBN Sports. With coach Aldin Ayo pulling the strings and Mark Cruz leading the way inside the court, the Knights upended archrivals San Beda in a thrilling three-game series for their first title in a decade.
Four years later, the Knights did the trick again, spoiling San Beda's bid for a perfect season as Fran Yu, Bonbon Batiller, and Jerrick Balanza spearheaded their championship charge in Season 95.
In both instances, their impressive journeys were highlighted by ABS-CBN S+A.
"You have been with us through hardship and triumph," the school said in a social media post, Saturday. "Without you, the world would not have seen what the Colegio has to offer, on and off camera."
"Until the next time we meet again," it added. "Arriba!"
Integrated Sports is among the divisions of ABS-CBN that has been forced to close after the House of Representatives' committee on legislative franchises refused to renew its franchise.
The NCAA is one of many leagues that will now have to find a new home as ABS-CBN S+A remains off air for the foreseeable future.
(For more sports coverage, visit the ABS-CBN Sports website).
NCAA, Colegio de San Juan de Letran, Letran Knights, ABS-CBN Sports, ABS-CBN, ABS-CBN franchise