THE San Beda University Red Lions enter Season 102 of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) men’s basketball tournament with a target on their back.
San Beda claimed the NCAA Season 101 crown after sweeping the Colegio de San Juan de Letran Knights, 2-0, in the finals for its 24th overall championship in the league.
Head coach Yuri Escueta understood that defending the title this year is a difficult task.
“We have been in this familiar position before. I remember we won the title in NCAA Season 99, but we fell short in NCAA Season 100,” Escueta said.
“Then we reclaimed the crown again in Season 101, so at least for me as a coach, there’s no room for complacency, and we have to do whatever it takes.”
The Red Lions will enter Season 102 with a new set of core players as last year’s team captain Yukien Andrada, Bryan Sajonia and Joe Celzo have turned pro while Filipino-American gunner Janti Miller transferred to De La Salle University.
Escueta, however, is confident that San Beda’s current roster, led by veteran forward Jomel Puno, can go all the way.
“Yes, the core is different than before. Chemistry-wise, these guys like each other; they have good relationships with each other, no one is giving me a headache,” he added.
“We have a good group of guys that are really positive that like each other.”
To prepare for Season 102, San Beda competed in the 2026 FilOil Preseason Cup and settled for a silver finish after bowing to Jose Rizal University in the finals.
The team also flew to Spain last July for a two-week camp.
“It helps a lot in building the chemistry and camaraderie of the team. You wake up in the morning, you see your teammates, you go twice practices in a day,” the coach said.
“You spend time after practices, and you do all things together. It’s a huge help on our team’s chemistry. Our goal is always to win a championship, so our confidence is always there. This confidence is built in practices. It’s going to be a challenge.”
NCAA Season 102 begins on Sept. 13, 2022.
