San Beda University did what many thought was an impossible task when they captured the NCAA Season 99 title in laudable fashion. Now, the Red Lions have to defend it — a job the current roster thinks would be a lot more grueling than winning it altogether.
But with the captain of the pack, Yukien Andrada, all healthy following an injury in the offseason, and the rest of the team eager to make it back-to-back championships for the school, the Red Lions are bullish on their upcoming title defense bid.
"I think it’s harder to defend the title kasi everyone is watching your back, we have a target on our backs. So every team we will face either in the first round or the second round, they will go as hard as they can kasi they know we’re the champions," Andrada told GMA News Online.
"It will be harder for us to defend the title pero we’re not gonna back down from everyone and we’ll do our best to win every game."
The fourth-year forward Andrada, primed to take over the leadership role following a stellar season in Season 99 that saw him emerge as the second leading scorer for the squad, was not in his tip-top shape in the past months due to an ankle injury.
That injury forced him to miss a number of San Beda's games in some preseason tournaments like the Filoil EcoOil Preseason Cup and the Asiabasket International Championship.
But the sweet-shooting big man said he's now ready to wage war come the new NCAA season.
"100 percent na ako ngayon. It’s an ankle injury. It’s a different injury [from my previous one last season]. Pero okay na ako," he said.
Andrada's optimism about the upcoming season comes from the much-awaited debut of their prized recruits like Bryan Sajonia, Penny Estacio, and brothers RC and Richi Calimag. Together, they will form a deadly roster with reigning Finals MVP James Payosing and high-flying sophomore Jomel Puno.
"They’ve been blending really well. The way I see it from the past couple of games that we’ve played in our tuneup games, they’ve been accepting their roles," Andrada added.
"I think all of them are great additions to us and a big help for us to defend the title."
Andrada, however, was also the first to say that their title defense won't be easy, especially with other teams also bolstering their lineups for the centennial season.
"I think CSB is gonna be up there, Letran will be up there. I think also EAC."
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
