Six-peat-seeking Lions start search for new coach

MANILA, Philippines – Moments after sweeping Arellano University to claim a fifth straight senior basketball title and 19th overall at the MOA Arena in Pasay City Wednesday, San Beda is setting its sights on accomplishing another milestone – an unprecedented six-peat feat.

The only problem though is that no one knows who will coach the Lions.

Although San Beda coach Boyet Fernandez is tipped to coach the NLEX Road Warriors tonight at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum, there are still talks he might be asked to stay with the Lions and chase history.

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Especially if Manny V. Pangilinan, the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas president who is a top San Beda supporter and owns NLEX, asks him to.

"We would have not won six championships with NLEX and I wouldn't have this chance to help San Beda win two championships without boss MVP's trust," said Fernandez referring to Pangilinan.

Like a good soldier, Fernandez said he will follow the leader.

"Whatever he (Pangilinan) wants, I will follow," said Fernandez.

Fernandez will make his first PBA stint with NLEX tonight since Sta. Lucia, a team he steered to the 2007 PBA Phl Cup title, disbanded four years ago.

On Saturday, Pangilinan will meet with Fernandez and the whole San Beda team at their Mendiola campus, where the telecommunication tycoon is reportedly making the decision on the vacant San Beda coaching job.

"We'll probably know on Saturday," said San Beda team manager Jude Roque.

Roque said the Lions are scheduled to join the Champions League set to unfurl this week in Cebu City.

If Fernandez is coaching in the pros, he can't coach San Beda.

There were reports as early as months back that Batang Gilas coach Jamike Jarin is taking over from Fernandez but Roque said it will depend on Pangilinan and the San Beda fathers.

Meanwhile, Roque said it will be up to Fernandez or the new coach to find the slots that will be vacated by Kyle Pascual and twins Anthony and David Semerad.

Baser Amer may also forego his fifth and last year after telling The STAR he is uncertain of his future with San Beda.

Of those empty slots, Roque said only Donald Tankoua, a 6-5 Cameroonian who will back Nigerian Ola Adeogun next year, is a shoe in for next year's squad.

"We have some players in Team B but only Donald Tankoua is sure to make the team next year," said Roque.