Jolo Pascual, Bench Copada reunite with ex-UE teammates at Letran

Colegio de San Juan de Letran is not done reloading just yet.

The Squires have added another piece to their arsenal, securing the commitment of former University of the East standout Jolo Pascual to bolster their title defense bid in the NCAA Season 102 Juniors Basketball Tournament.

The 6-foot-2 guard will reunite with former Junior Warriors teammates Eoin Braga, Mhico Abellar, and Ethan Oraa, along with head coach Andrew Estrella — UE’s tactician during its championship run in the UAAP Season 87 Junior High School Basketball Tournament in 2024.

“Siyempre unang-una, very excited ako kasi magkakasama ulit kami sa iisang team. Naging teammates ko na sila before kaya may chemistry at familiarity na agad kami sa isa’t isa,” Pascual told Tiebreaker Times on Tuesday afternoon.

“Masaya rin ako na si Coach Andrew ulit ang magiging coach namin dahil alam niya yung strengths namin at kung paano kami i guide. Excited ako sa bagong journey na ’to at sa chance na makatrabaho ulit sila para ma-achieve namin yung goals namin bilang team,” he added.

Pascual played a pivotal role in the Junior Warriors’ championship quest in the UAAP’s 16-under tournament in Season 87, where he teamed up with Mav Mesina, Gab Delos Reyes, and Goodluck Okebata.

When he was promoted to the 19-and-under division in Season 88, the pride of Tarlac City provided quality minutes, contributing 5.29 points, 1.29 rebounds, 1.29 assists, and 0.64 steals in 17 minutes and 15 seconds per contest.

“UE will always be a big part of my journey. Doon ko natutunan yung discipline, pagiging coachable, at kung paano harapin ang challenges. Yung mga natutunan ko at mga experiences ko doon ang dadalhin ko sa Letran para mas lalo pang mag-grow not just a player,” Pascual shared.

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Beyond the UAAP, Pascual also honed his craft on the international stage, leading Gilas Pilipinas Youth to a flawless championship run in the 2025 SEABA U16 Qualifiers and taking part in the 2025 FIBA U16 Asia Cup.

The 17-year-old guard averaged 9.2 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 3.0 assists in the SEABA U16 Qualifiers before posting 7.3 points, 3.5 assists, and 2.0 rebounds in the FIBA U16 Asia Cup.

“Sobrang grateful ako na naging part ako ng Gilas Youth. Hindi lang dahil sa opportunity na isuot yung Pilipinas jersey, kundi dahil sa mga lessons na natutunan ko sa loob at labas ng court. Mas naging disciplined ako, mas naging mature yung mindset ko, at mas ginanahan akong magtrabaho para maabot yung susunod na level,” Pascual expressed.

Letran also acquired the services of another former UE player in Bench Copada — who teamed up with Pascual and company during the bronze-medal finish of the National Capital Region in the 2026 Palarong Pambansa last May.

Copada was sparingly used in the Junior Warriors’ fifth-place finish in the Season 88 Boys Basketball Tournament, appearing in only six of 14 games.