Coach Boyet Hopes To Continue San Beda's Winning Tradition

For Boyet Fernandez, the New Year started with a bang.

The Meralco assistant coach formally accepted his new post at the helm of the San Beda Red Lions. No less than Meralco chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan, San Beda’s top sports patron, tapped Fernandez to coach the three-time defending NCAA champions.

“Kanina, tinawagan ako ni Boss Manny V. Pangilinan about it. Maganda nga ang New Year dahil sa new job and I’m honored shempre nabigyan ng opportunity to coach San Beda,” said Fernandez, who is no stranger to collegiate coaching after a stint for University of the Philippines in an interim capacity two seasons ago.

“Hindi ko naisip na mapupuntahan ko lahat ng leagues. PBA, D-League, UAAP and now the NCAA. I’m grateful with Boss MVP. I will definitely do my best to be worthy of my job.

“You cannot say no to boss MVP. Ilalagay nya talaga ang tao nyo sa dapat kalagyan. Happy ako nabigyan ako ng ganitong pagkakataon. I’m grateful dahil sa tiwala na ibinigay nya sa akin.”

While Fernandez finished his season with the Maroons winless, he has known nothing but success everywhere else he has coached. He piloted the Sta. Lucia Realtors to a surprise run to the Philippine Cup title in 2008 and has led the NLEX Road Warriors to three consecutive championships in the PBA D-League.

Fernandez could barely contain his excitement about his new post. “Kanina ko lang nalaman. I texted every coach ng San Beda to let them know. They congratulated me. I also texted my NLEX family and bosses Sir Mon Fernandez and team manager Ronald Dulatre and my coaches sa NLEX.”

Not an alumnus

Unlike the past two Red Lions coaches Frankie Lim and Ronnie Magsanoc, Fernandez is not an alumnus of the school. He spent his primary and secondary days in Negros Occidental before taking up nursing at Colegio de San Agustin in Bacolod, only moving to Manila to pursue his basketball career.

Fernandez does not expect it to be an issue for him. “Kahit hindi ako nanggaling ng San Beda, nasurprise din ako na ibinigay nila ang portfolio sa akin,” he said.

He doesn’t expect there to be major adjustments since his predecessor, Magsanoc, also serves as an assistant with the Bolts.

“Mahirap punuan ang shoes ni Papa Ron [Magsanoc]. Pero, pagttrabahunan naman namin mabuti,” said Fernandez, adding that he has been assured of support by Magsanoc and Bolts coach Ryan Gregorio.

“I wouldn’t have ended up with the Meralco Bolts if not for Coach Ryan and Coach Ronnie. Tulungan kami sa Bolts, and they also promised to help me with the Red Lions.”

He added that his duties with NLEX would not be in conflict with his new gig.

“San Beda’s practice is sa umaga, Meralco at midday, and hapon naman ang sa NLEX.”

Taking over

Fernandez had served as a sounding board for Magsanoc this past season in the NCAA, even attending some of the team’s practices. But he is beginning to do his homework as he takes over the team, meeting with San Beda team manager Jude Roque to discuss plans.

“I already spoke with Coach Jude. Ayoko naman kasi pumasok sa job if ever ilalatag yung San Beda na hindi ako prepared. So kinuha ko na yung copy ng lineups ng Team A and Team B and prospective recruits. Nakausap ko na din sila Coach Xavy [Nunag], Coach Pat [Fran] and Coach Ronnie,” said Fernandez

“After kasi nung NCAA, nung post-season na, hindi na ako nagpupunta sa practice kasi okay na si Papa Rons. Nag-champion na.”

Fernandez expects practice with San Beda to begin next week as the players begin to return from the holidays.

“Lahat gagawin ko para sa San Beda. Masaya ako nung naging consultant ako dahil nakita ko ang grabe na support ng community and alumni. Gagawin ko ang lahat para ‘di ma-balewala yung support na binibigay nila.”

source: InterAktv