Season 91 finish: Second place
Elimination round record: 13-5
Point differential: -7
Pomp and Circusmtance: Baser Amer, Arth Dela Cruz, Ola Adeogun, Michole Sorela, Ryusei Koga, Ice Reyes, Amiel Sedillo, Antonio Bonsubre
Premier Cup record: Quarterfinalist
Recruits and Returnees: Benedict Adamos, Kenneth Alas, Robert Bolick, Kyle Carlos, William Navarro, Arnaud Noah, Calvin Oftana, Davon Potts, John Bahio, Jeric Estrada
| Name |
| Adamos, Benedict C. |
| Alas, Kenneth Louie P. |
| Bolick Jr., Robert Lee E. |
| Carlos, Kyle Chester C. |
| Mocon, Javee D. |
| Navarro, William Raniel B. |
| Noah, Arnaud Germain N. |
| Oftana, Calvin John R. |
| Potts, Davon Anthony B. |
| Presbitero, Jose Mari Y. |
| Sara, Roldan V. |
| Soberano, Amiel Cris R. |
| Tankoua, Pierre Donald |
| Tongco, Ranbill Angelo V. |
| Bahio, John Brylle A. |
| Cabanag, Jeramer P. |
| Estrada, Jeric D. |
Assessment
The San Beda Red Lions lost two PBA first round picks (Baser Amer and Art dela Cruz), one of the best big men in collegiate basketball (Ola Adeogun), and two solid rotation players (Ryusei Koga and Michole Sorela).
“It will be hard to replace them,” San Beda head coach Jamike Jarin has been quoted several times during the course of the summer.
In a league dominated by skilled big men, the former NCAA Champions countered this trend and stacked itself with height and length on the wings instead of a legitimate back-up big man, 6’2 Cameroonian Arnoud Noah was lined-up instead of 6’9 Nigerian Eugene Toba.
But this is how coach Jamike Jarin found success during his heydays with the Blue Eaglets: jacked-up scoring, quick subsitutions, and active hands.
Outside of the three consistent contributors the Red Lions have right now (King Lion Dan Sara, Javee Mocon, and Donald Tankoua), there two intriguing pieces the team has right now: transferee Robert Bolick and one-and-done Fil-Am Davon Potts. The addition of the two will be the main difference between last season and their run at redemption.
Robert Bolick has evolved himself into a prototypical 3-and-D guy – a pivotal piece the team lacked due to the limitations of Koga’s length. Potts, on the other hand, remains a question mark. After much hype, the Filipino-American wing disappointed during the pre-season as he settled for jumpshots and “extra” movements that disrupted the plays Jarin was trying to implement. As one San Beda coach said, “he needs to be consistent in every move he does on the court.”
Outside of the starting five, the Red Lions now have “scoring” depth with sharpshooter AC Soberano having a breakout role while Ranbill Tongco has fully embraced his role of floor general going into his third year with the Red and White.
The only team that has the chance to beat the Red Lions is the Arellano University Chiefs. But if the length of their backcourt could limit Jio Jalalon’s production to at least half of it, something that the team has failed to do eversince Jarin took over the team, they have a good chance of bringing the crown back to Mendiola.
Quotes Jamike Jarin
“The team to beat right now is Arellano. The way they’re playing right now – they have the best point guard in amateur basketball in Jio Jalalon, and they also have the best back-up point guard in Kent Salado.”
Prediction
13-5 (2nd)
| STARTER PACK CENTRAL | |
| Follow the High Chief’s Lead | Blazing a New Trail |
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| Sword without a Shield | Another New Era Begins |
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| Bombs Away! | Waiting for the Baby Beast |
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| All is Well | REDemption |
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| Macaraya Magic | Under the Bright Light |
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