San Beda had a disappointing end to their Season 85 campaign. Looking forward to completing a rare and unprecedented 4-Peat with their fourth straight NCAA championship, the Red Lions instead faltered and were swept in two straight games by reigning champion San Sebastian. With their tall, athletic and experienced roster, they were heavily favored to win the championship and finally get that 4-Peat, and yet they succumbed to the Golden Stags. “No one was expecting that. We really thought we’d win. We even had the celebrations planned and everything,” said a lawyer and long-time San Beda fan.

With that bitter sting of defeat still on their minds, San Beda is looking to bounce back strong and regain the championship glory they feel is rightfully theirs. There will be hell to pay for the rest of the NCAA. They return minus some vital cogs instrumental in helping them win that rare Grand Slam. Center-forward JR “Shaq” Taganas, forward Bam Gamalinda, swingman JR Tecson and pointguard Chico Tirona have all used up their collegiate eligibility. They do however have some newcomers who should prove to be more than apt replacements.

A trio of expatriates is among the most prominent newcomers. Anthony and David Semerad out of Australia, and Kyle Pascual out of North America, bring plenty of size, attitude and athletic ability to the Red Lions roster. Anthony and David are identical twins, each standing 6-foot-5 with meaty arms and broad shoulders. Both of them can crash the boards, can handle the ball even against pressure, and play up to three positions each. Anthony has a better jumper, while David is an enforcer-type in the lane. They play off each other and alternating with each other. Pascual for his part is a 6-foot-6 center-forward with a bruising game and a take-no-prisoners attitude. He used to be with the RP Youth Team under Coach Franz Pumaren. These three figure to bring plenty of size, rebounding and additional offense to an already formidable and huge frontline.

Holdovers include a bunch of players looking to prove that they can bounce back from last season’s debacle. Their biggest player must however prove he is capable of carrying San Beda. 6-foot-8 American Sudan Daniel is itching to get back into NCAA action to prove to all and sundry that he is indeed the player who can bring the Red Lions back to glory. He was thoroughly outplayed in last season’s finals and is carrying 10-ton chips on both shoulders. Also returning is 5-foot-7 pointguard Borgie Hermida. Hermida got injured and could not finish last season. He has bounced back from that injury and is also eager to return to action. Rome De La Rosa, the gifted and multi-talented 6-foot-4 swingman is also back, bringing an expanded game and a tougher attitude.

San Beda is out to exact payback and the rest of the NCAA has been served notice.

In the junior division, the San Beda Red Cubs gave legendary coach Ato Badolato his 16th NCAA junior championship as a retirement gift. With 5-foot-8 pointguard Baser Amer and 6-foot-5 center Alfonso Gotladera returning a year wiser and stronger, defending the crown should be a foregone conclusion. There is no team with the talent and depth to match the Red Cubs.