Letran retains Willie Miller as Squires consultant

Colegio de San Juan de Letran is holding on to school legend Willie Miller — this time, in a retained role as team consultant to the Squires.

Miller, who led the Squires to a strong 6-3 finish in the NCAA Season 100 juniors basketball tournament eliminations, had to take a step back from head coaching duties due to an internal policy by his PBA team Converge.

The policy bars staff from assuming head coaching roles in external basketball programs — a rule that previously affected Charles Tiu, who resigned as Converge’s lead deputy to continue coaching College of Saint Benilde.

With Miller still passionate about mentoring Letran’s next generation, the school worked out a compromise: retaining the two-time PBA MVP in a consulting capacity to stay involved with the Squires’ development program.

“We understand the situation with Coach Willie and Converge’s policy. We respect it and we’re just thankful that he still wants to help our boys in any way he can,” said Letran Athletics Director Fr. Vic Calvo, OP. “He’s still part of our family, and we value the work he’s done with our juniors team.”

Under Miller’s leadership, the Squires secured the second seed in the Final Four and earned a twice-to-beat advantage.

But the Squires fell short of a finals berth after suffering two narrow defeats to La Salle Green Hills — 78-74 and 78-77 — in the semifinals.

In the interim, Knights head coach and Letran basketball program director Allen Ricardo will oversee the training and development of the Squires.

“For now, Coach Allen Ricardo will be in charge of the Squires’ training sessions,” added Fr. Calvo.