MANILA, Philippines--The San Beda College Red Lions have remained a cut above the rest since breaking a 28-year title drought two years ago.

Will it still be the same this year?

Coach Frankie Lim thinks so. "We will be okay," he said.

The early signs seem to point to the Lions heading to a third straight crown.

San Beda earlier won its appeal to reinstate former Philippine Christian University high school standout Elvin Jake Pascual after the player was earlier declared ineligible by the NCAA Management Committee for his involvement in the juniors' division eligibility scandal that rocked the league two years ago.

And although Yousif Aljamal and Raymund Maggay will no longer be around this year, Pong Escobal has expressed willingness to take a lead role for the squad, following his appointment as captain.

Nigerian behemoth Sam Ekwe remains an intimidating presence, while Ogie Menor, last year's finals Most Valuable Player, Jay-R Taganas, Dave Marcelo and Borgie Hermida form a steady supporting cast. Second-year guard Garvo Lanete has shown a knack of taking over games during the pre-season, along with Bam Gamalinda.

Pascual, whom Lim said will come off the bench, leads the Lions' rookie class that also includes Ginno Soliman, Jerome Villanueva and Eduardo Canlas.

The Lions, who trained at the Abunassar Training Camp in Los Angeles for two weeks during the summer, had a decent pre-season campaign, finishing second in the Fil-Oil Invitational Cup, after reaching the quarterfinals of the Nike Summer League.