For now, former cager RJ Guevarra will handle the coaching chores of the Letran Knights as they prepare for the season 95 of the National Collegiate Athletic Association men’s basketball tournament.
This is after school officials let go of their mentor for three years, Jeff Napa.
In a statement, school officials said that Napa will no longer coach the Knights after handling the team for the last three seasons.
“The community of Colegio de San Juan del Letran expresses its hearty and heartfelt gratitude to Mr. Jefferson Napa, head coach of the Letran men’s basketball team, for the past three NCAA seasons. With the expiration of his contract, Letran acknowledges his most valuable contributions to the team in forming our student-athletes and building our winning culture, especially according to the ideals of the Colegio,” said the school’s official statement.
With Napa out as the Knights’ coach, he will now be able to concentrate with his job as the mentor of the National University Bullpups in the junior division of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines.
While with the Knights, Letran was able to reach the Final Four last season.
A search committee has been formed to find the next head coach of the Knights.
The committee is composed of Dominican and lay officials, and will work with consultant Alfrancis Chua, who is also the school’s Special Assistant to the Rector for Sports Development.
“We ask all our alumni and friends to rally around our One Team Letran and to support our student-athletes in moving on, in moving forward, in conquering new glories for our beloved Alma Mater.”
Guevarra, who is handling Letran’s 17-under program, has started running practices in an interim capacity.
The Knights are currently preparing to join the 2019 PBA D-League season.