Letran cops 4th overall crown

Colegio de San Juan de Letran fashioned a National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) record of four consecutive double overall championship in the Juniors and Seniors divisions.

The Knights and the Squires started their NCAA supremacy in all events in 1999, 2000, 2001 and this year 2002.

It is actually the fifth straight general championship for the Knights who topped the Seniors’ division by amassing 198 points, way ahead of second placer San Sebastian College (180) and Mapua (140).

After a slow start in the first semester events, the Knights bounced back in the second semester, bringing home the trophies in taekwon-do, men and women’s table tennis and lawn tennis, behind the outstanding performances of Dean Limbo, Rodolfo Quijano, Crisanta Abas and Chiemil Mantua.

Mapua recorded NCAA back-to-back double general championships in 1970-71 and had a total of five since the league started in 1924. Letran has four double general championships while former member La Salle has two.

San Sebastian reigned supreme in senior basketball, women’s volleyball and chess where Mark Macapagal, Jennifer Bohawe and Darwin Laylo shone brightest.

Mapua, which captured the track and field honors with Marjohn Salanowon dominating the long distance events, also grabbed the men’s volleyball crown.

Despite the lackluster performance of the Letran seniors basketball, the team has produced hardcourt heroes in Harold Sta. Cruz who was adjudged best defensive player and member of the Mythical Five Selection, and Ismael Junio as the Rookie of the Year awardee.

The Letran Squires started their campaign for the general championship honors by initially capturing the juniors basketball trophy against the hard-fighting San Beda Red Cubs.