The San Beda Red Lions were aiming to score back-to-back championships in the basketball tournament of the National Collegiate Athletic Association last season.
But they were ambushed in the Final Four by the College of Saint Benilde Blazers. From what The Designated Kit Man recalls, the Red Lions lost four straight games, including their semifinal defeat against the Blazers. The three consecutive losses in the elimination round not only derailed San Beda’s hopes of securing a twice-to-beat advantage but also signaled the beginning of the end for the boys from Mendiola. It was a bitter way for the then-defending champions—or any team, for that matter—to bow out of the tournament.
A few days ago, I had the opportunity to talk with Jude Roque, the Red Lions’ long-time manager. While he remains optimistic about San Beda’s chances this season, he is also pragmatic, admitting that expectations are often far from reality.
“Ang goal namin, siyempre, is top 2 pa rin. Dahil ang hirap pagdating sa semis—you need to win twice. Ganoon ang nangyari last year. ’Yun nga lang, hindi ganoon kadali, especially with the new format introduced by the NCAA this year,” Roque explained.
Under this new format, the 10 teams in the tournament are divided into two groups. Leading Group A are the defending champion Mapua Cardinals, along with the Lyceum Pirates, Perpetual Help Altas, San Sebastian Golden Stags, and Arellano Chiefs. Group B features the Red Lions, the Blazers, Letran Knights, Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers, and the Emilio Aguinaldo Generals.
Each squad will face its groupmates twice and the teams from the other group once.
The top three teams from each group after the elimination round will advance to the crossover quarterfinals, with the top two seeds enjoying a twice-to-beat advantage. The bottom two teams will battle in a play-in game to keep their season alive. The new format ensures that every game matters, as the tournament will be shorter than in past seasons.
San Beda finds itself in a so-called “group of death,” having to go through the Blazers, Knights, Heavy Bombers, and Generals twice.
“This year, mabigat talaga ang mga challenges. Halos lahat ng teams nagpalakas. Tayo, lumakas din, pero naglakasan din lahat. So mabigat ang season na ito,” Roque admitted.
On the upside for the Red Lions, team captain Yukien Andrada will be playing his final season before moving on to the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA). Andrada was picked sixth overall by the Magnolia Hotshots in the recent draft. It’s a given that the King Lion will go all out for a championship before turning pro.
Incidentally, the Bedan forward was the highest NCAA product selected in the draft. Equally determined to deliver for the Mendiola faithful are Bryan Sajonia and Daniel Joe Celzo, who will also move to the professional ranks after their collegiate careers. Sajonia was selected 39th overall by NorthPort Batang Pier, while Celzo was chosen 50th overall by TNT Tropang Giga. Alongside them, San Beda coach Yuri Escueta will rely on Nigel Gonzales and Bismarck Lina for added presence on the court.
While Roque sees the Cardinals, Blazers, Knights, and Red Lions as the teams to beat, he isn’t ruling out the rest of the field. He believes EAC, Perpetual, JRU, Arellano, San Sebastian, and Lyceum are capable of pulling off surprises.
“Mas filled up ang mga positions kasi may mga bago at exciting tayong mga players, may dalawang Fil-Ams. Bumalik din si Jomel Puno. Mas lumalim tayo at nag-mature din from last year,” Roque added.
The Red Lions will open their campaign against tournament favorites CSB Blazers when the 101st NCAA Men’s Basketball season tips off on October 1 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao.
Before that, the Red Lions will be guests on Larong Pilipino on DZME RadioTV this Sunday to share more about what the Bedan community and the Red Army can expect from the team.
One thing is certain: the Red Lions will go all out for redemption. They know they cannot take for granted another opportunity to reclaim old glory and what they believe is theirs in the first place. But they will need to prove they want it more than anyone else. After all, any team in the tournament is capable of doing great things—if they put their mind to it, just like in life.
And doing it one time, big time, is never the way to go.
Stay safe. Stay happy, peeps!
For comments or questions, you can reach The Designated Kit Man at erel_cabatbat@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter: @erelcabatbat
