SAN BEDA College’s “REDomination” could continue for the next two years.
This is how the program was designed, according to Red Lions head coach Frankie Lim minutes after snaring his fourth National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) in the last five years on Wednesday after sweeping San Sebastian in the best-of-three finals.
“Maganda ang recruitment namin. Our program two years ago, naka-peg ’yan for the next four years. And siguro after 2013, mag-iisip ulit kami ng gagawin namin,” said Lim, who has given the school a 16th NCAA men’s title crown that tied Letran’s record.
Gone for next season are veterans Dave Marcelo, the Finals Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the series, and Garvo Lanete, Game One hero Jess Villahermosa and American Sudan Daniel, last season’s MVP who never played this year because of an ACL injury he suffered in a summer league.
But Lim said the holdovers could fill the hole and they already have recruits who he believes could contribute to their drive for a hat-trick of titles.
“Ayaw ko muna isipin ’yan [next season]. But we have recruits in Team B at alam nila kung sino sa kanila ang aakyat,” the Lim said.
Although Lim did not name the possible additions on San Beda’s team in the 88th season, it is no longer a secret that the Red Lions will have another African in Olaide Adeogun, a six-foot-eight player who is said to be a “better version” of Sam Ekwe.
Another possible recruit is six-foot-three Filipino-American Julius Armon, who scored 20 or more in nine of his 10 games with San Beda in the Division II of Fr. Martin’s Cup.
But more than individual talent, Lim said it is still important for his players to realize the value of teamwork, which was the primary reason they were able to survive the campaign without Daniel and an ineffective Lanete in the finals series.
Villahermosa was the clutch in Game One, scoring 15 points in their 75-63 win. It was David Semerad’s turn to wax hot in Game Two with a 15-point performance with San Beda getting a little help from Anjo Caram, who had 10.
“It’s called team effort. Kapag hindi nakapagbigay ang kapatid mo, dapat saluhin mo,” said Lim.
Lanete, the most consistent Red Lion on offense in the eliminations, was never a factor in the series because according to Lim, the six-foot-one scoring guard was under the weather in the finals.
“Three days before Game One, nilagnat siya. Pagbalik niya, off ang timing kasi two days walang ensayo. Tinatago lang namin. Nakatunog ang teammates niya, dapat sila mag-take over.”
And one of those who responded to the challenge was rookie point guard Baser Amer.
“Medyo wild pa nang kaunti that’s why I sometimes pulled him out for him to settle down. Marami pang matutunan ’yan and at this early age, first year in college, makikita mo’ng potential,” said Lim.
