San Beda prepares for war

The San Beda University men’s seniors basketball team is currently wrapping up a two-week training camp in California before heading back to the Philippines to prepare for the NCAA tournament. There, they underwent individual skills training, and played against US NCAA Division 2 and Division 3 school. The trip not only enhances the individual skills of the players, but being under one roof accelerates team chemistry, since half of its players are new. That’s what it takes to succeed in the NCAA today.

On our program “Hardball with Bill Velasco” on DWAN 1206 AM, I asked the defending champions’ team manager Jude Roque who he thought would be the favored teams this season.

“College of Saint Benilde would be the favorite,” he began. “They’re tall, athletic and very deep. It will be hard to beat them. Mapua is also very strong and Letran is always there. It will be tough to win.”

After a drought of almost three decades, the league’s only remaining founding member started winning consistently since the 2006-2007 season. It helped that they were able to get quality foreign athletes like Sam Ekwe and the late Sudan Daniel. Since that season, the school has won 12 men’s basketball trophies, including five in a row from 2010 to 2015.

But after a series of internal protests regarding foreign players, the league decided to ban non-Filipino student-athletes and go all-Filipino. Some see it as a move to curtail SBU’s dominance.

“That (ban) makes it difficult for us, especially in other tournaments,” explained Roque, a former San Beda assistant coach. “When we play in leagues like FilOil and commercial leagues with imports. It makes it difficult to match up. But of course, those tournaments help the players grow.”

The NCAA, which has been in existence since 1924, has become a more challenging battleground since its fourth expansion in 2009. San Beda has consistently found ways to win, with the occasional stumble. But they’ve usually managed to right the ship. And now, they’re going for yet another dynasty.