Several veterans will be at the forefront when San Sebastian College-Recoletos kicks off its redemption campaign in the NCAA Season 99 men's basketball tournament.
Alex Desoyo, who will inherit the captainship from Ichie Altamirano, is tasked to lead the Stags as they eye to return to the Final Four for the first time since 2019.
Joining the 5-foot-9 court general are other seasoned cagers in Romel Calahat and Jessie Sumoda, who both tried their luck in the recent PBA Draft with the latter getting picked by the Meralco Bolts in the fifth round. Calahat, meanwhile, went undrafted.
But before they move on to their respective careers, Desoyo, who revealed he had to convince the two to stay, is hopeful they could end their collegiate runs on a high note with the Stags.
"Nung una, honestly nahirapan ako kasi wala sila no'n at ako lang 'yung naiwan na beterano kasi late na rin bumalik si Calahat at Sumoda e. So 'yun, nag-adjust kami nang sobra kasi nga wala 'yung ibang beterano," Desoyo told GMA News Online.
"Mga two months ata 'yun na ako lang tapos ang unang bumalik si Calahat tapos cinonvince lang namin si Sumoda na bumalik kasi nga magpapa-draft na sila."
"Sinabi ko lang sa kanila na last season na natin so mas maganda tapusin natin sa Baste 'yung playing years natin kasi dito tayo nag-high school. Sukli na namin to sa Baste."
(At first, honestly I had a hard time because they were not there and I was the veteran left because Calahat and Sumoda joined late. We adjusted, then it was two months where I was alone then Calahat returned before we convinced Sumoda to rejoin, because they will apply for the PBA Draft.)
Now all ready to suit up come Season 99, the three leaders are hoping to steer San Sebastian back to its glory.
Tipped to help them are holdovers Rafael Are, Reymart Escobido, Tristan Felebrico, Ameer Aguilar, Jacob Shanoda, and James Una, who initially left the team to transfer to UST but eventually came back.
San Sebastian will also feature new faces in Niel Castor, Mark De Leon, Ralph and Reggs Gabat, Dale Singson, and Leonardo Velaso.
John Kallos, successor longtime coach Egay Macaraya, will now call the shots for the Stags.
NCAA Season 99 opens on September 24. Watch the games live on GTV.
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
