MANILA, Philippines – San Beda is eyeing to stretch its dynastic reign to another year as it seeks a fifth straight championship when the 90th NCAA basketball tournament opens on June 28 at the MOA Arena in Pasay City.
The Lions are coming off a strong preseason run after a solid second place finish behind eventual Filoil Flying V Hanes Premier Cup champion La Salle at The Arena in San Juan a few days back.
There, the Lions showed that they are still one of the best collegiate leagues in the land and should be the yardstick come NCAA time as it shoots for a fifth crown in row and eighth in the last nine seasons.
And San Beda coach Boyet Fernandez liked what he saw.
"We came a few plays away from beating La Salle but we lost," said Fernandez. "The important thing is that we've played aggressive during our run here and this is a good sign that we're in good shape going into the forthcoming NCAA season."
San Beda is entering Season 90, which will be hosted by Jose Rizal and use a theme "Today's Heroes, Tomorrow's Legends. NCAA@90: We Make History," with an almost intact roster anchored on Nigerian Ola Adeogun, Baser Amer, Arthur dela Cruz, Kyle Pascual, Ryusei Koga and a vastly improved Anthony Semerad.
The only player San Beda lost this year was last year's team captain Rome dela Rosa, who has completed his five-year eligibility with the Mendiola-based dribblers.
Thankfully, Semerad is filling that hole.
"Rome (dela Rosa) is hard to replace but he has found a way to embrace that role," said Fernandez referring to Semerad, who once erupted for 22 points including four triples in a quarterfinals victory over National U.
San Beda will also parade a pair of talented rookies straight from its high school program--Ranbill Tongco and Jayvee Mocon.
Tongco and Mocon showed flashes of brilliance in the tournament and should be serviceable with the former serving as one of Amer's back up at the point and Mocon a small forward who can stretch the floor with his new-found three-point shooting.
"Like everybody else, my rookies will be vital in our campaign," said Fernandez.
With a balanced lineup, San Beda will be in line in becoming the fourth team in league history to snare five straight titles since the San Beda Cubs (2009 to 2013), the Mapua Red Robins (1968 to 1972) and the San Sebastian Stags (1993 to 1997) accomplished the same feat.