La Salle legend Renren Ritualo with his four championship rings during a ring ceremony. Lance Agcaoili/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — Renren Ritualo on Monday received all four championship rings from his storied UAAP career with La Salle in a ring ceremony.
More than two decades after the Green Archers’ breakthrough championship in Season 61, which led to four consecutive championships from 1998 to 2001, Ritualo and his fellow members of the four celebrated squads were honored at La Salle’s Henry Sy Sr. Hall Grounds.
When asked if he is La Salle’s greatest of all time, Ritualo kind of agreed with the tag but gave all the credit to his former teammates and coach Franz Pumaren during their historic four-year reign.
“I won’t be here without my teammates. Lahat ng credits go back to my teammates. Alam niyo naman na my life wasn’t easy inside the floor. Kumbaga, it was really physical back then. My teammates were there to back me up and help. I’m giving it back to my teammates. I won’t be here without them, and of course, Coach Franz (Pumaren) and his coaching staff who really guided and coached us really well during games and practices,” said Ritualo, whose jersey No. 4 was retired by the school.
The 1998 La Salle team, which started its historic four-peat in the UAAP. @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/UWq1fftOgo
— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) November 27, 2023
More than the four championship rings, Ritualo was glad to share the stage with his former teammates from 1998 to 2001 including the 2016 La Salle champion team under Aldin Ayo and the current Green Archers squad of coach Topex Robinson which will compete in the UAAP Season 86 Finals.
“It feels great because they’re my brothers. Talagang family kami. As you can see, after 25 years, we’re still family, we’re still together, we’re still in communication, we’re still tight. Parang walang nawalang oras, it feels like yesterday,” said Ritualo, who worked with former captain and Mayor Francis Zamora, Don Allado, Mon Jose, and Dominic Uy to honor the 25th anniversary of their 1998 title.
“Siyempre happy kaming lahat, especially kami ‘yung mga nag-organize nito, si Mayor Francis, Dominic Uy, Mon Jose, and of course si Don Allado. All five of us, sleepless nights, meetings kung saan-saan, Zoom meetings here and there. Ito na ‘yung hinihintay namin after 25 years,” he added.
La Salle G.O.A.T Renren Ritualo @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/1Q5DIrX497
— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) November 27, 2023
Aside from honoring the five champion teams, the La Salle alumni also expressed their support to the current team, led by MVP frontrunner Kevin Quiambao, as it begins its title series against University of the Philippines on Wednesday in Game 1 at Mall of Asia Arena.
“It’s one of the purpose actually ng ring ceremony na ‘to, it’s to give a boost para sa current team now, para siyempre ‘yung momentum. Nakita niyo naman nine straight wins, sana magtuloy-tuloy,” said Ritualo.
“They look strong. They look really great inside the court. They love each other and they’re playing together talaga. They’re having fun inside the floor, sobrang masaya lang sila.”