The San Beda Red Lions start their bid for a rare four-peat when season 95 of the National Collegiate Athletic Association men’s basketball tournament unfolds on Sunday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Red Lions coach Boyet Fernandez is on his toes after taking note of the coaching changes that took place during the off-season.
Fernandez is aware that the Red Lions are among the favorites to make it to the finals again.
The Red Lions, he believes, are now in for a tough season with the many changes that have taken place.
“We’re out to defend the crown, pero medyo mahirap kasi magagaling ang mga coaches,” he said.
The Arellano Univerity Chiefs are coached by Cholo Martin, who replaced Jerry Codinera while the Mapua University Cardinals now has Randy Alcantara taking the place of Atoy Co.
The Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers lost Vergel Meneses, who ran for public office and is now the mayor of Bulacan town.
Former La Salle Green Archers mentor Louie Gonzales has taken over Meneses’ former job.
The Chiefs and Heavy Bombers are hoping for better finishes this season.
The Cardinals, on the other hand, are confident with a new coach in Alcantara, who had steered the Malayan Red Robins in the finals in the three previous season.
Alcantara’s squad has become among the teams to watch.
What makes the Cardinals scary this year is the presence of many junior players from past teams that Alcantara has handled and have won high school crowns in the junior division.
Many of these ex-junior cagers were either elevated from Team B, or were convinced by Alcantara to transfer from other schools.
These former Red Robin players have now become the core cagers of Alcantara’s present squad.
Meanwhile, with Robert Bolick and Javee Mocon already in the pro ranks, the Red Lions will now bank on former Finals MVPs Donald Tankoua and Arnaud Noah, who are on their final season of eligibility.
The backcourt duo of Evan Nelle and James Canlas will also make things happen for the Red Lions.