Key losses: Romel Calahat, Alex Desoyo, Jessie Sumoda
Holdovers: Paeng Are, Raymart Escobido, TJ Felebrico, Ralph and Reggz Gabat
Record: 6-12 (8th)
They may have a new head coach but the determined San Sebastian Golden Stags will still show their fighting spirit come NCAA Season 100.
Arvin Bonleon was tapped to call the shots for the Golden Stags as it aims to improve from last season's eighth place finish with six wins and 12 losses.
Team captain TJ Felebrico admitted that while they are still adjusting to Bonleon's style, they easily became on good terms with their new coach.
"Sa ngayon, kapaan pa kasi bago pa lang. Pero okay naman, mabilis kami nagkasama-sama. Mababait naman sina coach," Felebrico told GMA News Online.
"Sa sistema naman, wala namang problema. Wala silang binago. Parang may dinagdag lang na adjustments para sa team."
Being on good terms with everyone, veteran Raymart Escobido said they reciprocate Bonleon's kindness with respect.
"Nakaka-adjust naman kaming lahat kasi binibigyan niya kami ng kumpiyansa, lalo na 'yung seniors. Tiwala lang din siya sa'min. Binibigay lang din namin yung best namin at saka respect sa kanya."
But beyond the adjustments on and off the court, San Sebastian is still hoping to improve as they have not been in the Final Four for five years now.
However, they will do it without the likes of Jesse Sumoda, Romel Calahat, and Alex Desoyo.
"We're hoping na makaangat pero wala kaming ibang iniisip kundi lumaban, kung saan man mapunta. Kung maging maayos man this season, si God na bahala doon. Basta maglalaro kami para sa Baste," said Felebrico.
For Escobido, they will just do their best despite being underdogs this season.
"Sa ngayon, bago kami kaya kahit underdog kami sa iba, kasi maliliit kami, kasi wala na bigs namin, undersized kami ngayon. Pero kahit underdog kami ngayon, ipapakita namin sa kanila na di kami 'yung... maliliit kami pero lalaban kami hanggang sa dulo."
NCAA Season 100 will open on Saturday at the Mall of Asia Arena. The opening ceremony will air on Sunday morning on GMA and Heart of Asia.
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
