All’s Well That Ends Well For Red Lions

Exactly a week after the San Beda Red Lions successfully defended their NCAA men's basketball crown against a gallant Letran Knights side, I can't help but ponder over the team's tumultuous journey this year. The victory on October 26 that gave San Beda a second three-peat in the last seven years, and a record-breaking 17th title over-all in the country's oldest cage league is a fitting reward to this young band of Bedans that had to endure so much mental agony since the beginning of this year.

Right after they won the NCAA crown last year, also in late October, things started to go downhill for the Lions. Just a week later, the Semerad twins, Anthony and David, packed their bags and were reportedly headed to the Ateneo Blue Eagles' camp. Anthony was an integral part of the team's offense, being among its top gunners. David was instrumental in Game 2 of the 2011 finals where he emerged the best player. The twins gave various reasons for leaving the team after two triumphant seasons.

Then on December 2, an ugly brawl erupted in the SBC gym during an NCAA volleyball game, which caused most of the damage to the Red Lions. A racial slur against Nigerian import Olaide Adeogun by members of the San Sebastian men's volleyball team reportedly ignited the fracas between then Red Lions coach Frankie Lim and SSC volleyball coach Roger Gorayeb. The incident caused a two-year ban on Lim and Gorayeb by the NCAA. Lim resigned shortly after the league announced the ban in March of this year. He led SBC to four championships in the NCAA.

And so, the Red Lions were like orphans for a time, just a few months before the 88th Season of the NCAA commenced. Top patron Manny V. Pangilinan (MVP) and San Beda officials scampered to find an immediate replacement for Lim. Former Red Cub ace point guard Ronnie Magsanoc was the unanimous choice. Magsanoc also serves as first assistant coach in Pangilinan's Meralco Bolts PBA team.

Reluctant at first, Magsanoc took the challenge of leading the two-time defending champions. One of the greatest 25 PBA players of all time, Magsanoc had to make painstaking adjustments in his schedule to take care of the team. And so did the Red Lions. The daily practice was being held as early as 6:30 a.m. as Magsanoc and deputies Xavy Nunag and Patrick Fran needed to be at the Meralco gym by 9:00 a.m. for the Bolts' training.

The next two months would be tough as the team was still in the getting-to-know-you stage. Just two weeks after Magsanoc took over, the Red Lions already had to play in the Fil-Oil Cup pre-season tournament. He barely had time to introduce his system and coaching philosophy. continue here

source: Coach Jude Roque