San Beda Ready To Roar For Four

San Beda guns for a fourth straight men’s basketball title in Season 89 of the NCAA with a new coach in Boyet Fernandez and the core of last year’s champion team led by ace point guard Baser Amer.

Fernandez took over the coaching reins from Ronnie Magsanoc, who steered the Red Lions to their 18th championship last year in the country’s oldest collegiate league.

“Basta nag-ready kami, preparado kami every game. I believe malalampasan din namin ‘yung pressure na ‘yun,” said Fernandez.

“And hopefully sa trabaho namin at sa ilalaro ng players ko, siguro we have a very good chance of winning the four-peat. But hindi madali ‘yun, ta-trabahuhin namin ‘yun.”

Aside from Amer, named Finals MVP last season, team captain Rome dela Rosa along with veteran forward Kyle Pascual, and Ola Adeogun are also expected to provide the leadership in its quest for NCAA greatness.

The Mendiola-based squad also got an added boost following the return of the Semarad brothers – David and Anthony – in its lineup.

But the team’s so-called `Super Six’ must not be overlooked as they are also back for another tour of duty with the team.

Yvan Ludovice, Art dela Cruz, Utoy Abarcar, Ritchie Villaruz, Dave Moralde, and Jun Bonsubre bravely carried the Lions on their shoulders during the team’s first game last season and emerged triumphant against Arellano University, 81-71, despite San Beda missing majority of its star players due to suspension.

Even with Jake Pascual, Melo Lim, and Anjo Caram no longer around, San Beda remains confident in its drive for 'Roar For Four.'

source: Spin.ph

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Red Lions Seek Fourth Title

Going for a fourth straight crown will be a challenge for the San Beda Red Lions in the 89th season of the National Collegiate Athletic Association men’s basketball tournament.

Coach Boyet Fernandez said this after the Red Lions finished their pre-season sorties with a third-place finish in the elimination round of the recent 19th Fr. Martin Summer Cup and yet another third-place overall feat in a pre-season cagefest.

“Our primary focus right now is the semifinals. Many teams like Arellano University have gotten stronger,” said Fernandez, who replaced Ronnie Magsanoc only last December.

Fernandez said playing, winning and losing against teams in both the University Athletic Association of the Philippines and the NCAA has given the team a chance to work on their cohesion and work together as a team.

With a week left before the opening on June 22, Fernandez observed the improvements the Letran Knights underwent after Caloy Garcia took over and how the Arellano University Chiefs are managing to fare during closely fought matches.

He also took note of the College of St. Benilde Blazers’ transformation under new coach Gabby Velasco and the San Sebastian Stags, who will have Topex Robinson back as coach.

The Red Lions will ride on the efforts of Baser Amer, Rome de la Rosa  and Cameroonian cager Olaide Adeogun, with Amer averaging 12.3 points and 5.7 rebounds, while De la Rosa norms 11.9 points and Adeogun able to deliver 11.4 points and 8.2 rebounds per game.

Without big guys Anjo Caram and Jake Pascual, second unit players Arthur de la Cruz is stepping up with ex-Red Cub Francis Abarcar and Ryusei Koga.

source: Manila Standard

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San Beda Ready To Defend The Title

While expectations are high for San Beda to extend its reign in the NCAA to four years, the pressure for new coach Boyet Fernandez likewise continues to grow as the country’s oldest collegiate league opens shop on June 22 at the Mall of Asia Arena.

“Lampas ulo na ang pressure sa akin,” said Fernandez noting that students and school officials are expecting them to retain the championship which they have won for three straight years and six times in the last seven years.

One reason why the chances of the Red Lions look radiant is they practically have the same solid line-up as last year, thus giving them a big psychological advantage over Letran and San Sebastian – teams orphaned by key players.

Ace gunner Kevin Alas opted to skip his final year for Letran and while Ronald Pascual and Ian Sanggalang of San Sebastian are also out although Sangalang said he wanted to return.

The success of San Beda can be attributed to the sound basketball program laid down by past coaches Frankie Lim and Ronnie Magsanoc.

Magsanoc was the architect of the last title run while Lim engineered five titles in six years.

The legacy left by these coaches is making Fernandez restless, knowing his filling in a big shoe.

By winning last year’s title at the expense of Letran, San Beda also became the winningest school in the NCAA with 17 titles.

Fernandez is ready to face the challenge head on.

San Beda is coming off a two and a half week summer training camp in the United States where team defense and individual skills were further developed.

After the camp, they competed in the recent Filoil tournament where they finished third.

“We are preparing ourselves on the defensive side. Although marami pang kailangan ayusin, we’re slowly getting used to each other,” Fernandez said.

His team is bannered by last year’s Finals MVP Baser Amer, Nigerian center Ola Adeogun, Art dela Cruz, Kyle Pascual and veteran forward Rome dela Rosa. Also returning to the Red Lions are twins Anthony and David Semerad.

soure: Manila Bulletin

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