Julius Armon turned in another stellar performance for the Red Lions in the 2012 Filoil Flying V Preseason Hanes Cup at the Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan after whiplashing the UE Red Warriors, 91-55 in the battle of Reds earlier.

Armon, who has been delivering consistently for the Red Lions finished with 17 points and three rebounds across his name.

Due to the defensive stops both teams made on each other, the Red Lions only had 11 points in the first while the Red Warriors was limited to a single digit output of five points. In the second, after adjustments were made, San Beda shifted the momentum towards their side as they enjoyed a seven-point spread at the half.

In the third, a 21-4 outburst led by the monster game of Armon gave the Red Lions an insurmountable 50-27 lead at the 3:50 mark.

UE found it hard to catch up and keep pace with the Red Lions as they found themselves trailing by as much as 26, 66-40 at the 8:50 mark of the fourth. It was also the widest margin for the Red Lions.

Rome Dela Rosa chipped in 12 points alongside eight boards, two assists and one steal as the Red Lions claimed win number five in as many games.

UE’s Roi Sumang was the only Red Warrior to finish in double figures with 14 point, five boards and four dish-offs.

Summertime marks the beginning of the pre-season basketball leagues like the 2012 FilOil Flying V Pre-season Hanes Cup. 

This magical league lets schools that wouldn’t otherwise meet in the season proper clash for ultimate school supremacy.

Member-schools from the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) collide before they return to their respective leagues in the upcoming season.

On April 21, the blue and white from Katipunan clashed once again with the red and white from Mendiola, as they rarely have since 1977—and boy, was it a game to remember! The Arena in San Juan was awash in a sea of blue and red as Ateneans and Bedans trooped to the stadium and filled it to capacity, despite the lack of advertising and no live TV coverage.

Unlike the previous Ateneo vs San Beda encounters, this year’s face-off was a little different. Both schools came into the game with several notable changes. Most notably, the Red Lions have a new head coach, Ronnie Magsanoc, while the Katipunan five were temporarily under the guidance of assistant mentor Sandy Arespacochaga, as head coach Norman Black was in the US for a coaching clinic.

Undefeated

Both schools were coming undefeated into the game with a perfect record of 2-0 in the summer league. In addition, both schools are the reigning champions in their respective leagues, with San Beda having a back-to-back championship in the NCAA, while Ateneo achieved a remarkable four-peat championship in the UAAP.

The San Beda College Red Lions relied on their defense and championship experience down the stretch to put away the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons on Wednesday, 73-63 at The Arena, to post a dominant 4-0 record in the FilOil Flying V Pre-season Tournament.

In a game of runs, UP reeled off 10 straight unanswered points in the final frame while San Beda on the other hand, couldn't buy a basket despite getting easy opportunities down low. That allowed the Maroons to take their second and final lead in the game, 63-62, with 6:09 left in the game off a Mike Gamboa deuce.

In response, the Red Lions called timeout and never looked back. Jake Pascual hit consecutive baskets in the paint, including a lay-up off a backdoor pass from Adeogun with three and a half minutes left. Then Dela Rosa and Amer hit a bucket each to complete a final 9-0 run for the Red Lions to stave off any chance of a UP comeback.

San Beda's new coach Ronnie Magsanoc took responsibility for allowing UP to outscore his squad in the pivotal final quarter that gave the Maroons confidence to fight through an early hole.

"I'm grateful that when things didn't work out, we were able to find solutions off the bench," he said, crediting his team's effort in battling Maroons team that was taller and more talented than in the last UAAP season.

The Maroons' defense looked good early on, posting a7-4 advantage in the opening three minutes of the game. They even managed three blocks in one possession, compliments of big men Raul Suyod and Filipino-American rookie, Chris Ball.

The Red Lions' fortunes turned around when Nigerian center Ola Adeogun checked into the game. The big man had seven points in the first period and anchored San Beda's defense as the Maroons would only hit one more field goal in the quarter, a three-pointer from Cebu newcomer Henry Asilum. They pushed the tempo on offense and got UP into foul trouble early, creating a 22-10 cushion for San Beda after one quarter.

However at the start of the second frame, the Maroons took advantage of Adeogun's absence on the floor en route to a 16-5 outburst, putting themselves back in the game.

UP's backcourt trio of Mike Silungan, Mark Lopez and Mike Gamboa sizzled in transition, scoring at ease to trim the deficit to three.

UP's defense would falter anew in the final three minutes of the half though, allowing slasher Julius Armon to penetrate inside for easy points at the line. Another buzzer-beating basket by Rome dela Rosa provided some comfort for the Red Lions, who now led by six points at the half, 37-31.

Both teams began to click offensively in the third. Backed by baskets from Jett Manuel, the Maroons trimmed the deficit to three points again with 4:36 to play off a shot by Paolo Romero.

The reigning NCAA champions, not a team to suffer a surge lightly, responded by getting to the line, as the Maroons' gave up 16 free throw attempts in the quarter. That set-up the final quarter, and another big run by the Red Lions to seal the victory.

After dominating the fourth quarter against Ateneo last Saturday, Nigerian center Ola Adeogun and point guard Baser Amer, picked up right where they left off. Adegoun posted a dominant 19 points and 14 rebounds, while Amer ran the show to the tune of 15 points and four assists.

In addition to their powerful duo, the Lions ran a balanced offense that saw six players scoring at least eight points.

Unbeaten San Beda Red Lions look to tighten their grip on the top spot in group A today when they battle UP Fighting Maroons in the Filoil Flying V Hanes Premier Preseason Cup.

Sporting a 3-0 record, the Red Lions take on the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons at 3:30 p.m.

The Red Lions are coming off a 65-63 victory over the Eagles in a rematch of last year’s finals. But while Red Lions rookie coach Ronnie Magsanoc was satisfied with the victory, the former PBA star believes his team has yet to play to its full potential.

“I’m happy with the enthusiasm shown by the players, but we’re still in the process of putting in the system,” said Magsanoc.

“We can be happy now, but we can’t stop. There will be challenges along the way and we should continue to learn from each other and improve.”

San Beda hopes to produce a better start this time as it needed to rally from 16 points down to edge Ateneo.

Nigerian center Ola Adeogun and Baser Amer sparked the run that turned the tide for the Red Lions, although Magsanoc believes it was still his team’s defense that spelled the difference.

source: Inquirer

What does one see in the “Point Laureate” when viewed from atop the “Tower of Power”?

Pure greatness.

Thirteen years since they last played professional basketball together in the hard court, Benjie Paras and Ronnie Magsanoc are reunited once again in San Beda, manning the sidelines for the school where their friendship started.

“We knew each other since high school sa San Beda, since 1982,” said the basketball star-turned-celebrity Paras.

The duo won their first title in the NCAA juniors division in 1982, with the center Paras in his freshman year and Magsanoc in his fourth year at San Beda High School. Paras, along with forward Joey Guanio, followed Magsanoc and his now-NU coach Eric Altamirano to UP, where they played under the tutelage of coach Joe Lipa in 1986. With the San Beda core, the Fighting Maroons ended a 48-year-long drought that year and took home the UAAP basketball crown against a mighty Jerry Codiñera and Allan Caidic-led UE Red Warriors.

Paras and Magsanoc continued their partnership in the PBA, when Formula Shell drafted Paras as the first overall pick in the 1989 rookie draft. Paras and Magsanoc won their first professional championship in the 1990 Open Conference against Añejo Rhum, a year after Paras  made history by capturing the 1989 Rookie of the Year honors as well as the league’s Most Valuable Player award, the only player to do so in the history of the PBA.

“During those times, I could never have achieved those honors without him,” said Paras.

Soon, the two were named as members of the Philippine national team that finished with the silver medal at the 1990 Beijing Asian Games and were also named as members of the 25 Greatest Players in the PBA. Injuries both took a toll on the two, with Magsanoc retiring in 2002 and Paras hanging his boots in 2003.

But retirement only strengthened their friendship.

“Until now, we always see each other. We play basketball regularly with some ex-PBA players,” said Paras, who is a godfather of Magsanoc’s first child.

Paras said that Magsanoc deserves the position he was thrust into.

“After playing, he went straight to coaching. Mas deserving syang mag-coach since matagal na syang nasa coaching staff sa PBA,” Paras added. Magsanoc serves as an assistant coach to Ryan Gregorio at Meralco. He has been an assistant to Gregorio since the latter’s Purefoods/B-Meg days.

While Magsanoc takes the lead role as the Red Lions’ head coach, Paras is directed to help improve the skills of the San Beda big men.

Finally after 3 years, NCAA Back-to-back champions San Beda Red Lions defeated its old rival and four-time UAAP titllist Ateneo Blue Eagles.

The reigning UAAP and NCAA champions clash on Saturday for a share of the early Group A lead, as Ateneo de Manila University and San Beda College put their 2-0 records on the line in the FilOil Flying V Preseason Cup at The Arena in San Juan City.

The 5:15 p.m. tiff is expected to be tightly contested, with the Red Lions looking for some measure of revenge. In last year's edition of the tournament, the Blue Eagles defeated the Red Lions in the very first game, with Kiefer Ravena and Greg Slaughter making their televised debuts wearing the Blue and White, 90-87.

Fittingly enough, the two teams then closed out the tournament by meeting again in the Finals, with Ateneo running away in the winner-take-all battle, 75-56, a feat that gave the Blue Eagles their first FilOil tourney title.

So far, however, the Ateneo offense has yet to click in the two games they've played, shooting just 39 percent from the field, and their high-powered offense has generated just 58.5 points over two games. 

San Beda, by contrast, looks like a well-oiled machine despite a coaching change from Frankie Lim to Ronnie Magsanoc. The Red Lions are putting up just a shade under 70 points, on 43 percent field goal shooting, with 24 coming off fast breaks and turnovers. 

Expect to see a battle for supremacy down low between Blue Eagle Greg Slaughter (13.5 points, 14 rebounds, 2.5 blocks) and Red Lion Ola Adeogun (10.5 points, 12 rebounds, 1 block), while Kiefer Ravena (11.5 points) gets into a scoring duel with Julius Armon (11.0 points). 

source: JVP, GMA News

San Beda mauled University of Santo Tomas, 70-54, for its second win in the FilOil Flying V Pre-season Cup on Wednesday.

Filipino-American Julius Armon and Ola Adeogun made 11 apiece to lead San Beda's balanced attack. Three other Red Lions scored at least eight points in their game at The Arena in San Juan City.

The Growling Tigers, despite parading a lineup loaded with proven scorers, struggled to put up the points against San Beda's more athletic lineup of San Beda.

The Red Lions, even though shooting 5-of-14 from the free throw line, enjoyed an 18-9 lead after one quarter.

Center Karim Abdul, UST's force inside the paint, got into early foul trouble and played only for 18 minutes.

San Beda's "Attack-Abdul" tactics flustered the sophomore big man to miss all five of his field goal attempts shot only 1-of-6 from the free throw line.

The Red Lions, without Abdul manning the middle, pulled away bridging the second and third periods as Adeogun and Baser Amer attacked the shaded lane. San Beda finished the game with a blistering 49 percent field goal shooting.

The Growling Tigers, after trailing by 15, made a furious push in the third quarter highlighted by a barrage of three-pointers from Aljon Mariano, Kevin Ferrer and Jeric Fortuna to move within seven.

But Amer's three-point play brought San Beda's lead back to double digits and UST 

But an and-one play from Amer brought the lead back to double digits, and they would get no closer for the rest of the game.

The Red Lions hurdled the De La Salle Green Archers, 69-63, in a bid win for new coach Ronnie Magsanoc. But they face another tough rival in the UST Growling Tigers in the 5:15 p.m. main game of the tournament presented by Bostik Phils., Inc. in cooperation with Total Phils. Corp.

Magsanoc pins his hopes again on veteran Anjo Caram and rookies Julius Armon and Ola Adeogun although he remains wary of UST’s strength.

"They (UST) don’t know us and we don’t know them but at least, we have to start somewhere again," said Magsanoc.

Tickets for today’s games are available at SM Tickets at 470-2222.

source: Philstar

Reigning NCAA champion San Beda Red Cubs booked their second consecutive win by trouncing University of the Philippines Junior Maroons, 73-50 to open their campaign in the 18th Fr. Martin Summer Cup.

Ranbill Tongco scored a game-high 14 points to pace the Taytay-based Red Cubs, who grabbed the solo top spot.

Reigning UAAP juniors champions Ateneo Blue Eaglets likewise won their opening assignment by forfeiture over St. Stephen High School while the Far Eastern University-FERN Baby Tamaraws took the harder route, nipping the STI Junior Olympians, 71-67.

source: Philstar.com

The San Beda Red Lions will rely on a rookie coach and a couple of talented new recruits in their bid for a three-peat in the 88th NCAA basketball season this June.

Although limited to just six practices together, Ronnie Magsanoc, who replaced Frankie Lim last month, and the Red Lions meshed pretty solidly on their first game together with an emphatic victory over La Salle, 69-63, in last Saturday’s opener of the Filoil Flying V Hanes Pre-Season Premier Cup at The Arena in San Juan.

“We’ve six practices since I took over and in between that was the Lenten break so we haven’t really got the time to practice together and know each other well,” said Magsanoc. “It will be a long process and we will need cooperation and trust for us to get better.”

Magsanoc, who played high school ball for San Beda before helping the University of the Philippines Maroons win their first and only UAAP title thus far in 1986, is pinning his hopes on Nigerian Ola Adeogun and Julius Armon to carry the fight for the Red Lions, who won five titles in the last six seasons.

Adeogun and Armon made a big impression as the two combined for 21 points, 17 rebounds and three assists and should be the heart and soul of a San Beda team looking to extend its reign.

But the two will have big shoes to fill as San Beda lost some of its key players like American Sudan Daniel, Dave Marcelo, Garvo Lanete, Jess Villahermosa and the Semerad brothers Dave and Anthony, who were vital cogs in the Red Lions’ last two championship runs including a sweep in Season 86.

What’s left with San Beda were Rome dela Rosa, Jake Pascual, Kyle Pascual, Anjo Caram, Ryusei Koga, Baser Amer and Melo Lim.

Ronnie Magsanoc notched his first-ever win as a collegiate coach as San Beda defeated La Salle, 69-63, Saturday in the Fil Oil-Flying V Preseason Cup at the San Juan Arena.

Anjo Caram had 15 points while Filipino-American Julius Armon and Nigerian Ola Adeogun added 11 and 10 points each for the Red Lions, who held the Green Archers to only 34 points for a 15-point lead after three quarters.

“We really tried to outwork them the best way we can,” said Magsanoc. “The only way we can outwork them is through defense.”

It was the first win of Magsanoc for the Red Lions since taking over the team from Frankie Lim last April 2 after the latter resigned from the post.

“They don’t know us and we don’t know them. But at least, we have to start somewhere,” Magsanoc said.

Norbert Torres finished with 12 points and 10 rebounds while rookie Jeron Teng and Jovet Mendoza had eight points each for the Green Archers.

Ryusei Koga’s fastbreak lay-up gave San Beda a 53-38 lead in the fourth period. The Green Archers scored six straight points to decrease the Red Lions’ lead to 53-44 but Jake Pascual tap in a miss and Caram drilled a three-pointer to increase the gap to 14 points.

source: InterAktv

Reigning NCAA champion San Beda withstood a furious fightback by La Salle to hack out a 69-63 win.

The Red Lions led by as much as 17 points and looked well on their way to an easy win after an Anjo Caram triple had them ahead, 61-46, with only 2:27 left.

Not going down without a fight, the Green Archers started hitting their shots and were able to force errors on the other end.

Almond Vosotros sank a trey that pulled La Salle to within four, 63-67, with 16.6 seconds remaining.

San Beda held on after Caram’s two free throws as La Salle just had little time left to complete its comeback.

“I guess we really tried to outwork them and the only way we could hurdle them it through our defense,” said San Beda coach Ronnie Magsanoc.

CONGRATULATIONS!

source: Inquirer

4-Koga, Ryusei-SG

5-Lim, Carmelo-SG

6-Ludovice, Yvan-PG

7-Amer, Baser-PG

8-Mendoza, JP-SF

9-Pacual, Jake-PF

10-Adeogun, Olaide–C

11-Caram, Anjo-PG

12-Armon, Julius-SG

13-Villacruz, Ritchie-SG

14-Abatayo, Vann-SG

15-Pacual, Kyle-C

16-Sorela, Michole-SF/F

17-Bnsubre, Jun-C

18-Dela Cruz, Art-F

19-Dela Rosa, Rome-SF

20-Abarcar, Francis-PG

24-Moralde, Dave-SG

Head Coach: Ronnie Magsanoc

A battle of teams with new coaches will be the major storyline in the Fil Oil-Flying V Pre-Season Cup, which opens this Saturday at the Fil Oil-Flying V Arena in San Juan.

Ronnie Magsanoc, the new coach of the defending NCAA titlist San Beda Red Lions, debuts on Saturday against the De La Salle Green Archers, whose mentor will be coaching in his first game in Gee Abanilla.

Game time is set at 4 p.m. in the second game of a tripleheader.

In the first game, four-time UAAP champion and last year’s tournament winner Ateneo battles Letran at 2 p.m. right after the opening ceremonies at 1 p.m.

Bobby Ray Parks and the National University Bulldogs face the Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers in the nightcap at 6 p.m.

It will be interesting how the Red Lions will respond to Magsanoc going into their match against the Green Archers.

Magsanoc, a former San Beda Red Cub, officially took over the team just last April 2 replacing Frankie Lim, who resigned after getting a two-year suspension from the NCAA for his role in a brawl that happened during a volleyball game last year.

The Blue Eagles and Red Lions figured in an exciting finals series last year in the preseason tournament won by Ateneo, before they ruled their respective leagues.

The two teams, although running on different bearings with San Beda undergoing a coaching change, still loom as favorites in the tournament presented by Bostik Phils.

Ateneo guard Kiefer Ravena burst into the scene in the FilOil tournament last year, raising expectations in his first season in the UAAP. The 5-foot-11 former national youth player sustained his fiery form on his way to grabbing Rookie of the Year honors to add to his MVP trophy in the preseason event.

Ateneo kicks off its campaign against Letran at 2 p.m. before San Beda clashes with La Salle. Jose Rizal U and National U square off in the last game at 6 p.m.

Expected to grace the opening-day games are  Philippine Sports Commission chair Richie Garcia,  Rep. JV Ejercito and San Juan Mayor Guia Gomez.

Melo Lim photo credits to ncaa.org.ph
LA Revilla photo credits to goarchers.com

The tough grind begins for the country’s top collegiate teams in the 2012 FilOil Flying V Pre-Season Hanes Cup opening Saturday at the FilOil-Flying V Arena in San Juan.

Ateneo, seeking a fifth straight UAAP title, kick-starts its buildup in the preseason tournament, where the Eagles will have NCAA powerhouse Letran as their opening-day assignment.

Parading almost the same squad that won the title last season, the Eagles have been installed as favorites, but a slew of challengers, including bitter rival La Salle and NCAA champion San Beda and losing finalist San Sebastian are expected to give them a run for their crown.

“We cannot discount the other teams,  since all the teams are capable of pulling off surprises,”  FilOil Flying V consultant Joey Guillermo said yesterday at the PSA Forum at the Shakey’s, UN Avenue.

The Archers will also be in action on opening day opposite the Lions, who are hoping to continue their winning ways under new coach Ronnie Magsanoc. Capping off the three-game bill opening the tournament is the clash between Jose Rizal U and National U at 6 p.m.

All eight UAAP teams and the 10 NCAA squads  are joining the tournament, together with their counterparts in the juniors, except for the UE Pages.  The juniors have a lone guest team in Xavier.

There is a move being discussed to ban foreigners from playing in the NCAA. Apparently, the recent success of the San Beda Red Lions after 28 years of futility has supposedly accelerated a surge in recruitment of African or African-American basketball players.

It would be impracticable to speculate on the motive behind the ban. Some say that it is because the Red Lions have been so dominating, tallying five men’s basketball titles (one with Koy Banal as head coach and four with Frankie Lim) and one runner-up finish in the last six years. Some say it is more of a preventive measure to abrogate the dynasty and prevent a flood of non-Filipinos from taking scholarships or roster spots from homegrown students not just in basketball, but in all sports. Ironically, last season, Lim made it a point not to field his American center and former Most Valuable Player Sudan Daniel even after Daniel had recovered from a knee injury. Lim proved he could win a championship all-Filipino.

In the United States, having foreign students compete in university sports, particularly track and field and swimming, has been a common practice since before World War II. Some of these athletes have even changed their citizenships to compete in the Olympics for their adopted home lands. The worst case was the sudden change of middle distance runner Zola Budd’s citizenship from South African to British so she could run against Mary Decker of the US in 1984. In the final Budd, who ran barefoot, tripped Decker and was injured herself. Neither placed.

Technically speaking, all students at a college or university have the same rights, the right to the same quality of education, facilities and scholarships, though in some countries, the scholarships allotted for foreign students are limited. Therefore, a student who pays tuition and/or has an outstanding ability, whether it be scholastic or athletic, deserves a scholarship, regardless of his nationality. The rationale is simple, if they are better than other students and wish to represent their school, then they should get the scholarship.

Eleven years ago, when ABS-CBN Sports was auditioning courtside reporters for the UAAP broadcast, we came upon a very articulate and basketball-savvy Ethiopian student from Far Eastern University named Iyanuloluwa Adewuya. Iyan, as he was called, was actually taking political studies, but liked basketball. For those of us conducting the auditions, his nationality was never an issue. He was among the best we had auditioned from all the UAAP schools that year. He got the job.

I once had several conversations with Detlef Schrempf, the first German-born player to go through the US college system. Schrempf, who redefined the sixth man role for the Seattle Supersonics and the Portland Trailblazers, said he had guarded every member of the original Dream Team through his career. Detlef, who was conducting basketball clinics in the Philippines, said studying in America made a big difference in his life, and he decided to live in Seattle when he retired from the NBA. Needless to say, the All-Star’s contributions to basketball may not have been so pronounced had he not been successful in college in the first place.

Of course, there have also been unsuccessful attempts to recruit foreign student-athletes, such as the case of Ma Jian’s younger brother, Ma Ming, who couldn’t overcome the language barrier and other challenges in trying to get a spot for the Ateneo Blue Eagles back in the 1990’s. The older Ma was one of the last players cut by the Utah Jazz at the time.

Resigned San Beda Red Lions basketball coach Frankie Lim said yesterday leaving the varsity in the wake of a two-year NCAA ban for engaging San Sebastian volleyball coach Roger Gorayeb in an out-of-league brawl will mean a painful estrangement from his son Melo who is ending his collegiate career this coming season.

“You can’t imagine how this hurts,” said the 52-year-old Lim who has piloted San Beda to four NCAA titles in the last five campaigns. “Melo’s 21 and he’s graduating in October. I won’t be on the bench to see him play out his career. After three years, I’ve given him the chance to start and now, he’s hoping to show what he can do with more playing time. It’s not just a coach’s pain but also a father’s pain.”

Melo is Lim’s second to the youngest child with wife Olen. Their youngest is Tyler, 8.

At the moment, Lim said he’s not sure what to do next after resigning his post at San Beda. “I’m hoping to stay involved with basketball,” said Lim who saw action in 15 seasons in the PBA up to 1996. “In the meantime, I’ll take a long rest from all the stress I’ve experienced and spend quality time with my family. I spoke with Mr. MVP (Manny V. Pangilinan) before I tendered my resignation and he understood my situation. I don’t know if going back to the PBA is an option because Aboy (Castro) is doing a great job with Talk ‘N’ Text as team manager and coach Norman (Black) is taking over from coach Chot (Reyes) at the end of the season.”

Lim said the incident with Gorayeb was unfortunate but under the circumstances, he could do no less. “As far as I’m concerned, I did three things – first, I protected my school, second, I protected my player who was subjected to an insulting racial slur and third, I protected myself because I got punched,” said Lim. “I don’t think the ban was justified. It was very unfair. I don’t think the NCAA Management Committee that investigated the incident took into account or gave me credit for averting what could have been a more explosive situation.”

Lim said the incident happened in the San Beda gym after a practice with his team. “I was eating alone in the café behind the gym when one of my players Ola (Adeogun) came to me complaining he was called a monkey by some San Sebastian volleyball players,” he related. “So I talked to the players and told them to leave the gym which they did. I told them to respect our school. I spoke civilly. The security guards led them out. I didn’t want any trouble particularly since they were our guests at San Beda. But their coach (Gorayeb) went back to the gym because he had a game with the women’s team. I don’t know that coach from Adam but he kept cursing. I followed him back into the gym then he turned around and punched me. I have a tape that showed what happened. I didn’t start it. My action was purely reactionary. You know me, I don’t back down from a fight especially if I get punched first. So I hit back.”

1. April 14 - 4pm - Group A: SBC Red Lions vs DLSU Green Archers

Of all the opening day games, this is the most intriguing because these two marquee teams underwent a ton of offseason changes. Both will have new coaches, Ronnie Magsanoc for San Beda, and Gee Abanilla for DLSU, and both will parade some fresh new line-ups, most notably two guys with huge star potential, Julius Armon and Jeron Teng, respectively. When they played each other last year, it was a close affair, with San Beda banking on superior end-game execution late to edge La Salle 70-68. Will that be the case this year? We'll find out soon enough.

2. April 21 - 3:30pm - Group A: SBC Red Lions vs ADMU Blue Eagles

When these two teams met last season, it was Kiefer Ravena's grand debut, then the second time, it was the Eagles' coronation night, as they won their first FilOil title. Toss in the fact that once again, these two squads are the defending champions of their respective leagues, and the whole Semerads defection/hijacking (depending on which side you're from) issue, and this is a must-watch game. 

Watch the video:

End of an era for SBC? http://bit.ly/HVMdjh

Former PBA star Ronnie Magsanoc spent his second day as the new San Beda coach hoping that the reigning NCAA champion Red Lions can learn his system in time for the upcoming men's basketball wars.

Letran hosts the 88th season of the country's oldest collegiate league, which is set to open on June 23.

Magsanoc, who replaced Frankie Lim, will have barely two months to train and prepare the Mendiola-based squad to defend their championship.

"I just reported to work on Monday. It is just my second day practicing with the team and we are still in the getting to know each other stage," Magsanoc told GMA News Online in a phone interview.

Magsanoc is one of the most illustrious alumni of San Beda High School's storied basketball program, along with teammate and center Benjie Paras. Magsanoc and Paras went on to lead the UP Fighting Maroons to the 1986 UAAP championship before becoming PBA stars.

Magsanoc returns to San Beda while the players are still in shock over the sudden resignation of popular championship coach Frankie Lim.

"Hopefully we can fast-track everything," said Magsanoc at practice Tuesday. "Get the players to know me and my system, and at the same time the coaches getting to know the players."

Magsanoc, named one of the PBA's 25 Greatest Players, said he does not mind the pressure and expectation of the San Beda community given the fact that the Red Lions are aiming to win their fourth straight men’s basketball crown.

"I don't think of the pressure or the expectations of the community. We will just work with the boys, improve their skills and prepare them for the long term."

San Beda Red Lions: Goodluck to our New Head Coach, Ronnie Magsanoc and our new coaching staff: Benjie Paras, Patrick Fran, Xavier Nunag

courtesy: San Beda Red Lions Facebook Page

For humanitarian reasons(?), the policy board of the National Collegiate Athletic Association has decided to reduce the sanctions imposed on 12 players of the San Beda Red Lions involved in a brawl last Dec. 2.

Management committee chairman Fr. Vic Caluag of Season 88 host Letran said this after the policy board, headed by Fr. Tamerlane Lana, discussed the letter of appeal they received from San Beda officials.

The policy board came up with a decision to reduce the sanctions on the Red Lions following a five-hour meeting at the St. Thomas Conference Hall, inside the Colegio San Juan de Letran campus in Intramuros.

The two-game suspensions imposed on eight players--Kyle Pascual, Jake Pascual, Jaypee Mendoza, Ryusei Koga, Rome de la Rosa, Jose Carmelo Lim, Baser Amer and Anjo Caram--were reduced to just one.

The decision to suspend graduating players Dave Marcelo, Sudan Daniel, Mar Villahermosa and Garvo Lanete will no longer be carried out, but the school will have to pay fines amounting P15,000 each on their behalf.

The policy board clarified though that the ban on foreign cagers Julius Armon and Olaide Adeogun will remain and be imposed on them as spectators and not as players, since they have not yet officially played in the league.

The NCAA policy board will decide today on San Beda and San Sebastian’s motions seeking to reduce the sanctions slapped on their players and coaches for their involvement in a brawl during a volleyball game in San Beda last December.

First on the table is the Lions’ appeal to reduce the penalty slapped on foreign players Nigerian Ola Adeogun and American Julius Armon and eight other suspended local cagers for taking part in the fracas, management committee chair Fr. Vic Calvo, OP, of Season 88 host Letran told The STAR yesterday.

The Stags have also appealed the two-year ban meted on SSC volley coach Roger Gorayeb.

San Beda is seeking a two- or three-game suspension on Adeogun and Armon instead of one year.

Also on appeal are the two-game suspensions issued to Kyle Pascual, Jake Pascual, Jaypee Mendoza, Rysie Koga, Rome dela Rosa, Jose Carmelo Lim, Baser Amer and Antonio Caram.

“The school is appealing for the reduction of their punishments,” said San Beda athletic director Ato Badolato.

The board will also discuss the “no foreign player” policy to be implemented after a three-year transition period.

The 2014 schedule is being proposed to give member schools a two-year transition period wherein they could form an all-Filipino team.

However, the new ruling does not cover foreign players who have been recruited before its approval, including Adeogun and Armon, who already underwent years of residency and are expected to see action this year.

GROUP A

San Beda

Ateneo

UST

La Salle

UE

UP

Letran

Mapua

UPHSD

GROUP B

Adamson

FEU

NU

SSC-R

JRU

EAC

AU

CSB

LPU

Format:

Fiery multi-titled San Beda coach Frankie Lim is going resign from the San Beda Red Lions, he told InterAKTV on Thursday.

“I will submit my resignation soon,” wrote Lim in a text message. “Rest muna ako.”

Lim’s statement came amid reports that he has tendered his resignation. A Philippine Star story on Thursday said that he has resigned from his post, as did an earlier report by GMA News Online, which has since been corrected.

Speculation about Lim’s status began in earnest this week after he gave an emotional speech to his players during practice.

Last Wednesday, Lim was at the SMART-Araneta Coliseum to watch Talk ‘N Text, for which he previously served as team manager. He met with Talk ‘N Text owner Manuel V. Pangilinan, who is also a patron of the San Beda squad.

(InterAKTV is part of InterAksyon.com, the online news portal of TV5, which is chaired by Pangilinan.)

Lim also previously acted as team manager of the SMART-Gilas Pilipinas national squad, which is also sponsored by the businessman. Lim said he has no plans of serving in that capacity in any of the teams bankrolled by Pangilinan for now.

RT @thepbaologist: It's official: Meralco asst coach Ronnie Magsanoc is new head coach of the San Beda Red Lions. He'll officially take over the team starting tomorrow, Apr. 2. And this is no April Fool's joke.

A large percentage of our respondents agree that it is time for San Beda to withdraw its membership with the NCAA.

Yes 87%

No 13%

Thank you to those who participated. ANIMO!