Fernandez thanks doubters for pushing Red Lions to work harder

Photo by Tristan Tamayo/ INQUIRER.net

San Beda coach Boyet Fernandez will be the first to admit that no one deserved the NCAA Coach of the Year award more than Lyceum mentor Topex Robinson.

“Coach Topex deserves this one. He went 18-0 and I just want to share it to coach Topex,” he said.

But the Red Lions threw the Pirates’ undefeated record down the drain when they swept the best-of-three Finals with a 92-82 victory on Thursday.

Fernandez added another hardware to his already gaudy trophy case with his third championship with San Beda.

But more than the citation, what meant more to for Fernandez was his triumphant return to the collegiate scene after two years in the pros with NLEX.

“A door closes and a big gate of San Beda opened up for me. San Beda welcomed me with open arms, and they really, really tried to adjust to my system,” he said. “It’s tough for me with all the situation that I had in the past. It brought back the trust I had in myself, because what happened to me was so bad that I thought I’d never coach again.”

It was one of the most challenging tasks the outspoken mentor has ever faced in his decorated career in the collegiate scene.

Through the course of San Beda’s stronghold of the NCAA throne, it has never been regarded as an underdog. That was until Season 93, when surprise top seed Lyceum rampaged through the field and completed the 18-game sweep of the eliminations.

Fernandez knew the odds were stacked against him, and it didn’t help that criticisms were hurled his way when the Red Lions failed to finish on top for the first time in 12 years.

Fortunately for him, his players showed their worth and proved that this batch is truly one of the best this decade has ever seen, shunning  doubts with a championship to brag.

“This championship will not be a reality if not for my players. They deserve to win this championship because they worked hard really well. They sacrificed for around 11 months, and we know in the course of our season, people doubted us. But the circle of this team never doubted each other,” he said.

Fernandez also said that these criticisms fueled San Beda to work as hard, if not harder, than anyone to show that it is still the defending champion.

“We thank the haters and the doubters because they pushed me to work harder and really looked at that point why we’re losing against LPU. They gave us fire and we strived hard to win. They counted us out, they counted me out right away, but in the end, we came back and won a championship,” he said.

Fernandez is also hopeful that the NCAA Season 93 trophy will be enough to merit a return ticket for him in Mendiola next year.

“I wish I’ll continue to coach San Beda. I know it will be up to the bosses what their decision will be, but if I will be asked if I’ll stay with San Beda, can it be lifetime?,” he asked.

At this moment, with a championship to boot, there’s no reason why Fernandez shouldn’t.