Malayan braces for toughest tourney yet

Malayan coach Randy Alcantara. Photo by Randolph B. Leongson

“This may be the toughest league we’ve ever joined,” lamented coach Randy Alcantara.

But the Red Robins wouldn’t have gotten here if not for their pedigree, as they outlasted San Beda in the NCAA Season 92 juniors basketball Finals to win the crown behind Finals MVP Bryan Samudio and seniors Sherwin Concepcion and Jasper Salenga.

Alcantara, though, thinks that Malayan has its work cut out for it against other elite high school programs in FEU, Ateneo de Cebu, and NCAA rival San Beda.

“It’s not going to be easy for us. FEU and San Beda are contenders, and the (Ateneo de) Cebu team is also a strong squad,” he said.

Complicating the matters are the four international teams from the United Sates, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand which will complete the eight team-pool for Division 1 of the NBTC League National High School Championship, which will be a great barometer for the famed Red Robins.

“We’re excited for the experience we will get playing against them and in turn, we’ll also give them a taste of Philippine basketball. We know the path to the championship isn’t going to be a smooth one so we hope to gain valuable lessons when we face them,” he said.

With one goal in mind, Alcantara is keeping a positive attitude as he seeks to steer this Malayan squad to another title this season.

“We can’t afford to relax against these teams. I hope luck goes in our favor, but again, we’ll just do what we’ve been doing all year long,” he said.