Fernandez Will Work To Gain San Beda's Trust

New San Beda coach Boyet Fernandez knows he has to earn the trust of his players if he hopes to continue the Red Lions’ winning tradition in the upcoming NCAA season.

Fernandez was tapped to replace Ronnie Magsanoc, who led the Red Lions to their third straight NCAA title in his first and only year at the helm.

“The pressure is really there, medyo lampas ng ulo,” Fernandez said on ANC’s “Hardball” sports show Wednesday.

For Fernandez, his toughest challenge at the moment is gaining the trust of the Red Lions, something that he did not encounter while at the professional ranks.

“Unang-una, ang pinakamahirap kapag nag-coach ka sa college is to get the trust of the players. Pag sa professional, pag pasok mo diyan, hindi mo naman iwo-work 'yung trust ng players, kasi talagang magta-trabaho sila. It’s their future,” Fernandez said.

“’Yung mga players sa college, kailangan mong i-earn ‘yung respect and trust nila kasi matagal kayong magkakasama,” he added. “Talagang sabi ko sa players ko...  I will not ask for your trust, but I will work for it.”

Fernandez will take over a squad that lost three members of its core: Jake Pascual, Carmelo Lim, and Anjo Caram.

But he is confident about next year’s Red Lions, especially with the continued improvement of big man Ola Adeogun and star point guard Baser Amer, as well as the return of David and Anthony Semerad.

In their quest for a fourth straight championship, Fernandez is planning to continue using the system laid down by Magsanoc, with an added emphasis on defense.

“Konting tweaking lang,” he said. “We’re gonna run more this season, because Ola is improving and mostly guards ang members ng team.”

Though he faces great pressure as head coach of one of the best collegiate teams in the country, Fernandez is determined to prove that he deserves the position and repay the trust given to him by San Beda patron and businessman Manny V. Pangilinan.

“I will do my very best to be worthy of the trust of Boss MVP,” Fernandez said. “I’m confident that I’ll surpass this and (continue) San Beda’s winning tradition.”

“Minsan ka lang mabigyan ng pagkakataon na mag-coach sa prestigious school like San Beda. Kakapitan mo talaga at tatrabahuhin mo talaga, kasi minsan lang dumating ang opportunity na ito,” he added.

“I’ll just come in and do my job and hopefully get the trust of the players, improve them, and hopefully we can achieve what we want to achieve.”

source: ANC Online