Signed, sealed, and soon-to-be-delivered
San Beda Red Lions chief patron Manny V. Pangilinan has approved the team’s request to tap the services of two-time NCAA champion coach Boyet Fernandez as head coach for their upcoming NCAA Season 93 campaign, according to highly-placed officials from the MVP camp.
According to the official, Fernandez and the Red Lions camp have been in talks since last Tuesday, immediately after former head coach Jamike Jarin had resigned from his position. Jarin is set to take over the post left by Eric Altamirano for the National University Bulldogs.
“The team’s request was forwarded to boss MVP and he approved it,” the official said.
“MVP sees Coach Boyet as the best choice.”
As early as Wednesday afternoon, the request had been granted and the school now wait for MVP’s formal presentation of Fernandez to San Beda’s rector Fr. Aloysius Maranan, OSB.
Fernandez needs no introduction to the San Beda faithful, as he had steered the Red Lions to back-to-back crowns during the NCAA’s 89th and 90th season. He compiled a 35-21 record, 7-1 in the playoffs, in his first tour of duty.
He was then tasked to mentor the NLEX Road Warriors for two seasons. His stay with NLEX only produced two playoff appearances, however, and he lost all six of his playoff games. Moreover, he went just 28-38 with the Road Warriors. Fernandez was then relieved of head coaching duties after Yeng Guiao was brought on board last October.
The 45-year-old mentor is set to inherit a team that has only lost one player to graduation in Dan Sara. Moreover, if approved by the PBA offices, his Cignal team will be composed of Red Lions student-athletes.
“They [PBA and Cignal officials] are meeting today [Wednesday],” another official from the MVP camp added. “Pero hindi kasama yung mga taga-San Beda sa meeting so we’re not sure about the tie-up.”
The meeting between MVP and the school’s officials has yet to be scheduled due to the holiday break.
