James Payosing will stay in the Red Lions' den.
After helping San Beda University reclaim the throne in Season 99, Payosing has decided to remain in Mendiola and return for their bid for back-to-back titles come NCAA Season 100, he confirmed to GMA Integrated News.
The 21-year-old do-it-all guard previously revealed that he had gotten offers from other schools for a possible transfer, prompting him to mull over his future with San Beda only weeks after their championship run.
But Payosing has come to his decision and he isn't going anywhere.
"Yes po, stay ako as San Beda," Payosing, who averaged 8.48 points, 7.7 rebounds, 1.04 assists, and 0.87 steals last year, said in a message.
[Yes, I will stay in San Beda.]
With Payosing's decision to stay, San Beda will remain formidable even with the departure of star guard Jacob Cortez.
The 6-foot-2 Payosing, who was instrumental in the school's Season 99 championship run where he was named Finals MVP, is tipped to form a deadly trio with sweet-shooting big man Yukien Andrada and high-flying forward Jomel Puno as they look to retain the title.
San Beda will also be powered by young guns Nygel Gonzales and AJ Royo while transferees Penny Estacio, Bryan Sajonia, and brothers RC and Richi Calimag are expected to make a huge impact next season.
San Beda head coach Yuri Escueta, though, considers it a tough task to transform the team into another championship-caliber squad.
"It will be a challenge for me, us coaches, kailangan namin i-mix 'yung old guys with the new guys, familiarity nila. 'Yun ang goal namin this preseason," Escueta said during their visit to the GMA Network Center premises to participate in the GMA Masterclass: The Social Media Literacy Series workshop.
[It will be a challenge for me, us coaches, we need to mix the old guys with the new guys, build their familiarity. That's our goal in the preseason.]
—JMB, GMA Integrated News
