A day after capping its first round campaign with a lead-clinching 85-82 win over Mapua, San Beda is in a position to end a long title-drought stretching 25 years.
San Beda coach Jonathan Reyes thinks that although the 79th NCAA basketball tournament is far from being over, a lot of people, mostly the alumni, feel this could be the year.
"We can’t celebrate this early because we still have lots of things to do," said Reyes minutes after steering his charges to a league-best fifth win in seven outings.
"But I’m sure a lot of our supporters are very happy with the way we’re going. Though we’re still far from there, I’m very happy with our current position," he added.
San Beda’s title came as far back as 1978 during the time of former PBA cager and Asian Gamer Chito Loyzaga, son of the legendary Caloy "The Big Difference" Loyzaga.
From there, it was all heartaches and disappointments.
And Reyes, himself a player from 1981 to 1984 with another ex-pro Mukesh Advani and Far Eastern U mentor Coy Banal as teammates, knows pretty well how it felt.
"I know the feeling because I’ve been there both as a player and a spectator in the school’s 25-year title drought so I’m pretty much involved.
"Now if we can continue to play like this, work harder and trust each other more, maybe this year could be the end of a long, sad story," said the second year, 40-year-old San Beda bench tactician.
One reason why San Beda is playing this good is skipper Arjun Cordero, who has been dishing
out inspiring efforts including a 23-point outburst in a recent win that extended San Beda’s amazing run to four.
Also, Cordero’s supporting cast this year is better and more mature compared to last season when they finished seventh with a 2-12 card behind bottom sweeper Perpetual Help (1-13).
Jerome Paterno, for one, has improved tremendously with his athleticism and quickness in the shaded area. Another veteran Jeff Bombeo is also a big factor as he turned himself from a one-dimensional scorer to more of a decoy and defense specialist.
Other sources come from Reyes‚ new recruits—Ronnie Bughao, Mark Apepe, Francis Cruz and Michael Casino.
With these players, the long wait for San Beda could really be over this season.