San Beda coach Jamike Jarin at the Red Lions’ bench. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
Head coach: Jamike Jarin
Last season: 13-5 (runner-up)
Key losses: Ola Adeogun, Art dela Cruz, Baser Amer
Key returnees: Jayvee Mocon, Donald Tankoua, Dan Sara, AC Soberano
Key additions: Davon Potts, Arnaud Noah
San Beda head coach Jamike Jarin could be downplaying the kind of team he has or he just wants to take some pressure off his players, but no matter how he wants to put it, there’s no stopping his fellow coaches from naming the Red Lions as among this season’s contenders.
The Lions lost three of their key players from previous seasons in Ola Adeogun, Baser Amer and Art dela Cruz and yet, to Jarin’s astonishment, the rest of the league still ranks San Beda up the standings as the 92nd Season of the NCAA begins on Saturday.
“We’re surprised that a lot of the coaches are saying that we’re up there,” Jarin said during Wednesday’s press conference at Mall of Asia Arena. “Losing your five starters and your best defensive player to graduation, it’s like, why are we in contention? Maybe we’re doing something good.”
“If you lose your entire starting five, you’ll be in big trouble, right? I’m really amused with the way things are. People are saying that we have a very good team right now,” Jarin added.
Jarin may not see San Beda as one of the stronger teams this season but to the other schools, the Red Lions are still in the upper echelon due to their winning tradition.
“What makes San Beda still one of the teams to beat is their winning attitude. Every year they have been in title contention,” said San Sebastian coach Egay Macaraya.
San Beda clinched the No. 1 seed last year but failed to deliver its a sixth straight title after losing to Letran in the finals.
The Lions will now have to rely on a young core led by Jayvee Mocon, Donald Tankoua and AC Soberano in their attempt to regain the crown. Also expected to step up are Dan Sara, Fil-American roomie Davon Potts, Cameroonian Arnaud Noah and Robert Bolick.