MANILA, Philippines--Getting the luxury of time to prepare, San Sebastian coach Jorge Gallent expects nothing less than a Final Four stint for the Stags.

Gallent hopes to inject into one of the NCAA's illustrious teams the same system that has brought him great success with Harbour Centre in the PBL.

"We will be a defensive running team," said Gallent, who rued the lack of preparations last year since he was appointed just two weeks prior to the season.

"We fixed our weaknesses. I had eight months to prepare this team so the system is in place. As much as possible, we want to score easy points. Our shooters have also improved."

The triumvirate of center Jason Ballesteros, Jim Viray and Jimbo Aquino will banner the squad that has been energized by the addition of backcourt general Raymund Maconicido, who will share the playmaking chores with Pamboy Raymundo and Franz Delgado.

The Stags literally suffered a huge loss with 6-foot-9 Francis de Leon now out of the roster. Mark Anthony Bringas hopes to fill the void left by De Leon.

The Stags are aching to return to their championship form that has eluded them since winning back-to-back crowns in 2001 and 2002. They finished in a tie of fifth last season with a 4-8 record.

The Stags highlighted their pre-season with a narrow overtime win over two-time defending champion San Beda in the Fil-Oil Invitational Cup, where they finished with a 4-3 slate which they duplicated in the Nike Summer League.