After ceding the NCAA title to their archrival Colegio de San Juan de Letran two seasons ago, the mighty San Beda University wanted nothing else but to redeem themselves once more.
Circumstances though left them crippled as Evan Nelle took his talents to Taft and Season 95 MVP Calvin Oftana decided to forgo his final playing year. Another blow to the Red Lions was Kemark Carino leaving Mendiola for Japan.
Something has got to happen, someone has got to take on the cudgels. And James Canlas took on the challenge for the Red Lions.
Being one of the eldest players in the current young San Beda squad though is no piece of cake for the 23-year-old guard.
“It’s hard being their kuya because sometimes they don’t listen, they’re makukulit,” the Filipino-Candian guard admitted.
“But at the end of the day, they’re gonna respect me right because I’m older than all of them. So yeah, I got to take charge and lead them.”
Canlas though had plenty of help in nourishing this new generation of the squad in other veterans like team captain Ralph Penuela and graduating forward Franz Abuda.
“Yeah, me, Ralph, Franz Abuda, Damie Cuntapay, and JB Bahio, all of us had a lot on our plate to handle these guys,” said the NCAA Season 95 Mythical Team member, who is averaging 13.4 points, 5.0 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and 1.6 steals so far this season. “But when we leave, they’re gonna be with a good coach in Coach Boyet [Fernandez]. So yeah, we have to guide them, and eventually, they’re gonna learn from us.
“They’ll see what it takes to be a champion.”
And for the guy from Toronto, it starts with how you take over from the court.
After denying the San Sebastian College-Recoletos Golden Stags with an upset with a huge three-pointer for a more comfortable margin en route to a win last week, Canlas once more fuelled the Red Lions to a comprehensive rout of the feisty Arellano University on Easter Sunday.
At the end of the day, the sweet-shooting guard ended 14 points to go along with four rebounds and a steal — a steal that set up Bahio for a transition layup that pocketed the win for good. For Canlas, it is all about the right timing.
(C) NCAA/GMA Photos
“At first, they were playing box-and-one with me. And after, they stopped doing it because we are up by a lot. So after that, I just took over. I had to … I went out for my team. I stepped out and did my job. We came out with the dub,” he shared.
With Canlas at the helm, San Beda enjoys a huge 5-0 start in this redemption season.
“Honestly, I’m proud of my guys,” Canlas commented on how the squad is coming along. “We came a long way like everyone was new together, and then in each game, we progressed by playing together, executing our plays, and learning how to play with one another. It’s good to be out here.
“The job ain’t done here. So, we just keep going hereon.”
And the challenge of getting the crown back resumes on the grueling five-games-in-two-weeks tailend to their elimination round schedule — starting on their game on April 20 against on-and-off University of Perpetual Help System DALTA.
Canlas said, “For sure they will play hard against us because everybody wants to beat San Beda, di ba? So, we’re just gonna execute the game plan. As I said, coach Boyet is good at adjusting to everything; he knows what to do and he’s ready for the next game.
“So, we can’t wait to face them.”
