MANILA, Philippines –Moments after steering San Beda to a historic NCAA championship, coach Ronnie Magsanoc was reminded of his own success as a star high school player for the school.
“That was so long ago,” Magsanoc said with a laugh. “At this stage, you don’t think back anymore. You just think of the present. Just be grateful for the situation that you can serve the school.”
Indeed, Magsanoc wanted to savor the Red Lions’ moment of winning a third straight men’s basketball crown and a record 17th overall title right on his rookie year as head coach.
After all, he never saw himself in this position just months ago.
Despite serving as an assistant mentor in the pro league, Magsanoc plunged into varsity coaching unsure of what awaits him following the resignation of coach Frankie Lim in the wake of the controversial off-season brawl that led to the suspension of virtually the entire San Beda squad on its first game.
“There never really was a plan to be the coach of this team. Things happened and they found me to be the head,” said Magsanoc, the former Red Cub named by the PBA as one of its 25 all-time best players.
Magsanoc said credit should go to the players, who methodically dismantled Letran, 67-39, in the surprisingly lopsided winner-take-all Game 3 last Friday.
“From the very beginning it has always been the players,” said Magsanoc. “It’s a special season for the players. That first win [where San Beda won with only six players] was very important. We were also able to go to the Final Four seamlessly.”
Anjo Caram made the most out of his final game as the senior guard sparked the Red Lions’ strong start before finishing with a game-high 17 points.