San Beda have one of the biggest collegiate sporting programs in the country today.
After ending a 28-year championship drought in 2006, the Red Lions, the school’s men’s basketball team, have won eight championships in ten years. Moreover, the school’s basketball program has produced a countless number of stars in the professional ranks as well.
Last season, the Red Lions entered the tournament with a new head coach steering the team – former Ateneo Blue Eaglets head coach Jamike Jarin. San Beda, though, failed to win an unprecedented sixth straight crown, succumbing to rivals Letran in three close games.
In the wake of that result, Jarin received criticism from some of the school’s alumni. Jarin’s critics have always pondered over why the multi-time champion head coach had shuffled his players frequently in games.
Davon Potts has logged in the most minutes so far for the Red Lions with an average of 28.1 minutes per game
“These are just college kids. How many of these kids will make the pros?,” Jarin explained regarding the principle behind playing all 15 of his players throughout the course of the season.
“This might be the only time they get a chance to play.”
But still, some resisted this idea.
In one of San Beda’s games in the Premier Cup, a supporter of the school’s basketball team made his opinions known to all, loudly expressing his dismay with Jarin. Being the sport that he is, the mentor was able to keep his cool amid the tense moment.
Currently, the Red Lions sit atop the NCAA Season 92 Seniors Basketball tournament with a perfect 3-0 slate.
During this three-game run, no Red Lion has logged in more than 30 minutes a game. In addition, every player lined-up in their roster has played at least five minutes.
Radge Tongco stepped-up in San Beda’s game against EAC as Dan Sara nursed a fractured finger
“First two games it was [JV] Mocon, Robert [Bolick], and Davon [Potts]. Now it’s Radge Tongco and AC Soberano,” Jarin said after San Beda routed EAC. “[Joe] Presbitero has been consistent, [Arnaud] Noah is getting his groove, [Calvin] Optana great off the bench.”
Jarin then lashed back at his critics, saying, “Now I have answered all the critics who are questioning why I play 15 players.”
“It’s because I have 15 players and it will benefit in the long run! This is always a team and we play as a team.”
The mentor then concluded by thanking those who have doubted him.
