NCAA Season 87 Preview: San Beda

2010 Record: 18-0, 1st; NCAA Defending Champions

Additions: Baser Amer, Ryusei Koga, Paolo Pontejos

Subtractions: Borgie Hermida, Dave Moralde

Holdovers: Anjo Caram, Sudan Daniel, Rome de la Rosa, Garvo Lanete, Melo Lim, Dave Marcelo, Jake Pascual, Kyle Pascual, Anthony Semerad, David Semerad, Mychole Sorela, Mar Villahermosa

Background: Can they win it all without Su Daniel? Better yet, Can they make it 20-0?

I agreed with Coach Frankie Lim’s assessment when he said, “This season will be the most challenging”. As far as Coach Lim is concerned, he has accepted the fact that the Red Lions will go to war with their MVP on street clothes.

Su Daniel suffered an ACL injury last April 9, 2011 during their opening game of the FilOil Preseason Tournament against Ateneo. When the injury couldn’t get any better after several attempts of focused knee strength and conditioning exercises, “We decided to roll the dice and opted for surgery”, Coach Lim added.

Key Changes: Minus Daniel, the Red Lions still have Dave Marcelo, Kyle Pascual, Jake Pascual, and David Semerad. Minus Daniel, San Beda will miss his 11 and 4 production in rebounding and blocked shots. Minus Daniel teams can, with no hesitation whatsoever, penetrate the lane without fear.

Since the departure of Borgie Hermida, so far, no other point guard has stepped up in that roster to replace his toughness and leadership qualities. Veterans Anjo Caram, Mar Villahermosa, and rookie Paolo Pontejos, who has made some brilliant plays during the preseason - all have played sporadic basketball in the summer. Who to start at Point Guard, will be a game to game decision.

Outlook: San Beda still boasts the deepest line-up in the league that includes – Rome de la Rosa, Anthony Semerad, and fresh from a bout of amebiasis, rookie Baser Amer, helping one of the best scorers in the NCAA and preseason mythical five member – Garvo Lanete. Offensively, the Red Lions are still lethal. Defensively, there will be major adjustments.

Prognosis: With Daniel’s presence, the Red Lions are one of the most underrated defensive teams in the league. Their 34 defensive rebounding and 8 blocked shots average last season will be tested. Because I believe that both stats ignite their 14 fastbreak points average per game and that’s were the Red Lions are dangerous – in the open court. This season, that might change a little bit. Minus Daniel, they are still the team to beat but hardly without opposition.

2. Mapúa Institute of Technology

3. San Sebastian College-Recoletos

4. Jose Rizal University

5. Colegio de San Juan de Letran

6. Arellano University

7. Emilio Aguinaldo College

8. University of Perpetual Help System Dalta

9. College of Saint Benilde

10. Lyceum of the Philippines University

San Beda over JRU

Mapúa over San Sebastian

Champion: San Beda