CBF Hopes Red Cubs Will Stay With San Beda

San Beda Red Lions head coach Boyet Fernandez is hoping that the key players of five-peat champions Red Cubs will stay loyal to the school and commit to the seniors squad.

It was another double celebration for San Beda this year as they triumphed in both the seniors and juniors men’s basketball tournaments in the NCAA, with the Red Lions winning a fourth straight title and the Red Cubs doing them one better with their fifth consecutive crown.

Speaking on ANC’s “Hardball” Wednesday night, Fernandez expressed his hopes that key players from Red Cubs will decide to stay with San Beda and join the Red Lions.

“We’re also looking for the Red Cubs players who are there, like (Arvin) Tolentino, (Javee) Mocon, (Adven) Diputado, (Ranbill) Tongco and (Lancelot) Abuda,” he said.

“When I came in sa San Beda, ang plano ko talaga is to get the Cubs to the Red Lions. ‘Yun talaga ang programa ko,” he explained. “So I’m hoping na pumasok sila doon sa programa ng Red Lions.”

Fernandez acknowledged that it will be a difficult mission for him, however, considering the shape of the recruiting business in college basketball these days.

“Alam niyo naman, maraming kumpetensiya sa gilid-gilid lang,” he said.

He is likely to face a lot of competition in the recruitment of Tolentino, a 6-foot-5 forward who was named Finals MVP in the Red Cubs’ victory over the College of St. Benilde Greenies. The versatile Tolentino has drawn interest not just from colleges in the Philippines but also abroad.

Fernandez remains optimistic, however.

“We’re hoping that they’ll stay loyal to San Beda, hopefully,” he said.

source: ABS-CBN News