NCAA Season 99 saw the emergence of new pillars for San Beda University.
Jacob Cortez rose to become the ‘King Lion’ while Yukien Andrade proved that he is an able rock for the team.
Rookies Jomel Puno and Nygel Gonzales delivered in big games. Ditto for junior winger James Payosing.
Only four Lions will leave the den, namely Peter Alfaro, Cliff Jopia, Damie Cuntapay, and JV Gallego.
Waiting in the wings are a bunch of killers.
During the off-season, San Beda scored a plethora of recruits.
Headlining the new breed of Lions are Bismarck Lina, Bryan Sajonia, Penny Estacio, and the Calimag brothers.
Also in the team are Joe Celzo, Ronrei Tolentino, Collin Dimaculangan, and Menard Songcuya.
This presents a good problem for head coach Yuri Escueta.
“They need to fight for the slot.
“That’s how they were since January, everyone needs to fight for a slot. Even these guys that won a championship. That’s the only way we’re gonna compete in games if we compete in practices,” said Escueta.
Knowing that it’s the hard work that paved the way for San Beda to regain the crown after five years, Escueta already told the boys that there will only be a short break.
Come January, it’s back to the lab again as they prepare for their title defense.
“Papahinga muna kami, Pagbalik namin sa practice, bugbugan nanaman ito and it’s gonna be harder,” furthered the youthful mentor.
“Not for me but for them.”
NCAA Season 100 is expected to be a bloodbath.
And as Escueta and the rest of the Red Lions just showed, they know what it takes to come out on top in the end.
