THE absence of Cameroonian big man Donald Tankoua midway in the season became a rallying point for the newly crowned Season 92 National Collegiate Athletic Association men’s basketball champion San Beda Red Lions to keep going.
Tankoua’s season-ending injury on his right knee when the Red Lions played against Emilio Aguinaldo College in the second round affected the spirit of the entire team.
But the composure of the team in their seven remaining games in the second round kept the Red Lions together.
“In a situation like that, natuto na ang mga players. It’s just the composure and adopting to the system,” said Red Lions’ coach Jamike Jarin after they regained the NCAA crown with an 83-73 win over the Arellano University Chiefs in Game 2 of their best-of-three finals series at the Mall of Asia Arena last Tuesday.
As the Red Lions dealt with their second loss in 12 games, team skipper Dan Sara rose up and provided leadership in their next games, until they reached the finals.
“In the final game, I’m proud of Sara. He was the one who got everyone together,” added Jarin.
Jakin always reminds his wards of the motto of the Golden State Warriors.
“Their motto is you win the first four minutes of the game, you win the first four minutes of the second, and you win the last four minutes of the game. So we adopted that. The last minutes were instilled in the minds of the boys. You need to win the last four minutes,” said Jarin.
“For me, it’s always been my trademark to use all my players, and give them exposure,” said Jarin after the Red Lions snared their 20th crown in a streak that began in 1936.
Jarin added that their title win this season is considered redemption, after the Knights denied them a 6-peat last year, right on his first year with the Red Lions.
“When everybody counted us out and everybody wanted my head, that loss of Donald was a wakeup call for all of us. Everybody stepped up. All of the boys believed in themselves, and rallied behind Donald and the coaches,” said Jarin.
