Key losses: Jacob Cortez, Peter Alfaro, Damie Cuntapay, Clifford Jopia
Key holdovers: Yukien Andrada, Jomel Puno, James Payosing
Additions: JC Bonzalida, Penny Estacio, Bryan Sajonia, RC Calimag, Richi Calimag
Season 99 record: Champion
There was this narrative that San Beda University may have lost its glory in NCAA men's basketball as the Red Lions dropped the title in 2019 and missed the finals for the next two seasons after winning eight of the last nine titles prior.
Now the whole league knows: the Red Lions' bite is back to its old and lethal form.
However, the players see it otherwise with Yukien Andrada and James Payosing, both of whom are the few holdovers from the championship team, saying the title defense campaign would be a lot more demanding given how the rest of the field is eager to stop San Beda's claim for back-to-back titles.
It was made even more challenging after the shock exit of Jacob Cortez---a budding guard who rose from a reserve player to being a crucial piece in their Season 99 title run before he opted to transfer to De La Salle University.
But like what head coach Yuri Escueta always preaches, San Beda isn't a one-man show.
"Lagi naman sinasabi sa amin ni Coach Yuri na next man up so I think all my teammates are ready to step up," the fourth-year Andrada said.
"We'll try to win as many games as we can and ayun lang, buo lang ‘yung tiwala namin sa isa’t-isa eh so whoever steps on the court will give their best."
San Beda's crop of new players can back Escueta and Andrada up.
This upcoming Season 100, the Red Lions--the winningest program in NCAA history--will welcome promising and high caliber talents tipped to bolster a team hungry to regain its dynastic status.
First up on the list are transferees Penny Estacio and Bryan Sajonia who sat out last year for residency after jumping ship from De La Salle University and Far Eastern University, respectively. With the departure of Cortez, these guards are exactly what San Beda needs to fill the gap, boosting the backcourt led by other holdovers in Emman Tagle, Joshua Tagala, and AJ Royo.
Payosing even shared that Sajonia, who one time dropped 31 points during their PBA D-League campaign, is someone who plays like Cortez but offers a different set of skills.
"There’s a lot of players naman like Bryan Sajonia, he plays like Jake din but different strengths sila and San Beda is San Beda. ‘Pag suot mo ‘yung jersey na ‘yan, lalabas ‘yung talent mo and dine-develop din ng coaches," Payosing, the Season 99 Finals MVP, said.
Aside from Estacio and Sajonia, San Beda will also parade brothers RC and Richi Calimag, both of whom also play in the guard position as the Red Lions' backcourt roster suddenly got loaded.
However, the biggest recruit San Beda may have had during the offseason was JC Bonzalida. The 19-year-old cager was instrumental in Adamson University's high school title run in UAAP that ended a 31-year wait of the school and he now brings his act to San Beda.
Defending the title may be a daunting task for the Red Lions but after winning last season's crown, they know there's just nowhere to go but up.
"Kumpiyansa kami kasi prepared kami as a team and may experience na rin kami on how to defend the crown," Payosing said.
Completing Escueta's title defense squad are Joe Celzo, Ismael Culdora, Zed Etulle, Nygel Gonzales, Rafael Jalbuena, Bismarck Lina, Adrian Sollano, Menard Songcuya, and Iñigo Torres.
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
