"We Will Find Ways To Win" - Coach Ronnie

Defending champion San Beda and Arellano debut with their new coaches today in the 88th NCAA basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan.

Game time is at 2 p.m. after their junior counterparts, the Arellano Braves and the San Beda Red Cubs, collide at 12 noon.

The Red Lions, gunning for a third straight title, will start their campaign with only six available players – Francis Abacar, Antonio Bonsubre, Arthur Dela Cruz, Ivan Ludovice, Christian Moralde and Richie Villaruz – as the rest of the players are serving a one-game suspension that stemmed from their involvement in a brawl last year.

Nigerian rookie center Ola Adeogun, however, will miss four games instead of six after getting a reprieve from the league policy board.

"We just have to take it and make the adjustments because it's hard when you're not in control of the situations," said San Beda mentor Ronnie Magsanoc, who replaced Frankie Lim.

"It's a huge challenge, but we're just making sure that we'll be competitive.  I don't want to dwell on the suspensions.  We just have to find the ways to win," he added.

Arellano coach Koy Banal, who filled in the void left by Leo Isaac, is confident of his stalwarts despite being composed mainly of rookies and transferees.

"It's a young team. Maraming adjustments na kailangang gawin, and I just keep on pushing them.  It's not going to happen overnight," said Banal, who has won titles in the UAAP and the NCAA.

The Chiefs placed seventh last year, and although Banal is eyeing the bigger prize, improving last season's performance is their main goal right now.

Vergel Zulueta remains the veteran of the team after having played for four years, while he will get reinforcements from Rocky Acidre, Prince Caperal, Christian Palma and Ralph Salcedo.

source. MB Sports