Dynasty in the making

By Zenaida Dadacay
Business Mirror
September 28, 2007

The Red Lions are kings once again.

In the championship duel that was tipped to go the distance, San Beda College displayed the character of a hungry animal in sweeping Letran College in the finals of the men’s basketball tournament in the 83rd season of the National Collegiate Athletic Association Wednesday.

Back-to-back titles for the Red Lions only denote how serious they are about their goals of building a dynasty in the league.

“I hope this [victory] would be the beginning of a dynasty. I know its hard especially next season, but we will do our best to continue what we started,” said Red Lions coach Frankie Lim.

San Beda now has 13 titles overall behind Letran with 16 and former NCAA member Ateneo with 14.

San Beda won, 76-64, in Game Two Wednesday, following up a harder-to-earn 76-68 win in Game One a week ago. The Lions have lost only once in 13 games. They fell against the spirited Knights in the first round, but won three straight including the sweep of the best-of-three title series.

This early, Lim expressed optimism that they will surely fare well next season despite the loss of Yousif Aljamal, who will now play in the Philippine Basketball Association.

Besides Aljamal, only Raymond Maggay will not return next season, that is why people must expect the Red Lions to be the contenders again.

For added ceiling, Lim tapped another Nigerian, Kevin Emeka Udo, to replace Aljamal.

“He’s [Udo] only 19 years old but he is very promising. He’s in constant practice with Team B at maganda ang inilalaro niya. Kailangan lang naming hasain pa ng husto para makasabay sa laro ng Team A,” said Lim.

Udo is the second foreigner in the Red Lions squad after acquiring Sam Ekwe, who made a great impact in the league especially in the Mendiola-based dribbler’s successful conquest of the title in 2006.

The NCAA has no existing rules on non-Filipino players.

The inclusion of Udo, Lim added, will give the Red Lions an imposing look and would surely post threat next year.

“We will definitely include him in the team next season. Mabilis naman siyang matuto and we are expecting that he can easily connect on our game style,” said Lim.

Left to handle the three-peat seeking Red Lions are Ekwe, finals Most Valuable Player Rogemar Menor, Pong Escobal, Borgie Hermida, Riego Gamalinda and Rookie of the Year David Marcelo.

“Siguro magpapahinga muna kami dahil hindi biro ang pinagdaanan namin sa buong season na ito. Then after that, balik kami sa practice and hopefully makasali kami sa mga off-season tournaments as part of our preparation for the next season,” he said.

“We are eyeing for our third straight title kaya we need to prepare more and continue with our program to achieve better results,” Lim added.