San Beda coach Fernandez wins again in first try

Boyet Fernandez talks about winning the championship for San Beda on his first year as its coach. The Red Lions beat the Letran Knights, 60-56, to keep the NCAA men’s basketball crown in its court for the fourth straight year. Video by INQUIRER.net’s Ryan Leagogo

MANILA, Philppines – Usually, it’s third time’s a charm.

But for San Beda coach Boyet Fernandez, it only takes one crack to clinch a championship.

Fernandez is no stranger to winning a title in just his first take after steering the Sta. Lucia Realtors in his first head coaching stint in 2008 before piloting the NLEX Road Warriors in the PBA D-League’s inaugural year and now guiding the Red Lions under his watch.

“I’m blessed. I’m so blessed, with all the sacrifices my family has been experience ever since I became a coach. I credit the Lord for giving me the good health and the family who understands  the situation that I’m in,” Fernandez told reporters as the Lions logged their fourth straight championship after edging the Letran Knights, 60-56, in Game 3 Saturday.

The former PBA point guard Fernandez though, wouldn’t want to compare his championships as each has its own distinction.

San Beda head coach Boyet Fernandez . Photo by Ryan Leagogo/INQUIRER.net

“I enjoyed all my championships. I won the championship with Sta. Lucia in just my first head coaching job and I will always cherish it. I won the Coach of the Year as well and it’s an All-Filipino.”

And he quickly managed to differentiate his latest crown from his previous two.

“It’s a great feeling to win a championship in college because every alumni will love you. It’s great to win and I’m looking for more.”

But Fernandez knows it takes a team to win a championship and the right approach.

“Probably it’s the work ethic. I really don’t want to lose. I always come to the games and practices prepared and it’s also with my coaching staff. I believe it’s work ethic because honestly, I’m not really that good of a coach it’s just that I have to be ready every time and I like to thank my coaching staff,” said Fernandez.

“Come to think of it, it’s all for my players. I won’t win any championship if not for my players and also to my coaching staff.”

And for all of Fernandez’ success as coach, he also has that one time where it didn’t work out.

“I was surprised when coach Aboy (Castro) resigned and UP asked me if I could help the team and it was hard to leave UP [at that time],” said Fernandez, whose services was tapped to take over the Fighting Maroons’ sidelines early into the UAAP season in 2010.

University of the Philippines went on to have a winless year despite coaching change but in spite of that forgettable 14-game stint, Fernandez still refuses to forget and instead remembers where he came from.

“I’m not ashamed of what my record is in the UAAP. I’m successful right now because of the situation that I had in UP.  My UP experience really helped me a lot right now from my time with NLEX and with San Beda.”

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