Red Lions coach to return for 6-peat?

MANILA, Philippines - Moments after sweeping Arellano U to claim its fifth straight NCAA men’s basketball crown at the MOA Arena Wednesday, San Beda has set its sights on the next mission – an unprecedented six-peat.

No team has won six straight in the country’s oldest varsity league and San Beda is out to achieve the feat at all costs.

That could include recalling coach Boyet Fernandez, who marks his PBA return with the NLEX team tonight at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

“We would have not won six championships with NLEX (in the D-League) and I wouldn’t have this chance to help San Beda win two championships without boss MVP’s trust,” said Fernandez, referring to Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas president, NLEX boss and top San Beda patron Manny V. Pangilinan.

Fernandez said he would follow whatever MVP thinks would be best for San Beda.

“Whatever he (Pangilinan) wants, I will follow,” said Fernandez, who steered Sta. Lucia to the PBA Phl Cup title in 2007.

Pangilinan is actually set to meet with Fernandez and the whole San Beda team at their Mendiola campus tomorrow where the telecommunication tycoon will reportedly announce his decision on the vacant San Beda coaching job.

“We’ll probably know on Saturday,” said San Beda team manager Jude Roque, adding that the Lions are scheduled to join the Champions League set to unfurl this week in Cebu City.

There were earlier reports that Batang Gilas head coach Jamike Jarin is set to take over from Fernandez but Roque said it will still depend on Pangilinan and the San Beda fathers.

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

Top guard Baser Amer has also signified his intention to forego his fifth and last year with the Red Lions.

Roque said only Donald Tankoua, a 6-5 Cameroonian, is a shoo-in to make it to next year’s squad as backup to Nigerian Ola Adeogun.

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