San Beda offers Fernandez 3-year contract

Reigning NCAA champion San Beda plans to offer new coach Boyet Fernandez a three-year pact as it tries to sustain its dominance in the country’s oldest collegiate basketball league.

A champion coach in the PBA and in the D-League, Fernandez was picked to succeed Ronnie Magsanoc, who resigned from the post last December after steering the Lions to a third straight crown in his only season at the helm.

“We’re hoping that he stays longer so we’ll offer him at least a three-year contract,” San Beda team manager Jude Roque said, pointing out that the Lions already have been through three coaches in the last seven years.

The finer details of Fernandez’s contract have yet to be discussed, but the former Sta. Lucia and concurrent NLEX mentor was introduced to the San Beda community Wednesday.

“I am grateful for the opportunity. Its a blessing, but there are alot of challenges ahead and I have huge shoes to fill because of the legacy left by coach Ronnie (Magsanoc) and coach Frankie Lim,” said Fernandez, who got the call from San Beda chief backer Manny V. Pangilinan himself Wednesday.

Fernandez was part of Magsanoc’s staff last season at the San Beda bench and his name immediately cropped up as replacement as soon as the head coach quit. But it was only until Dec. 31 that his appointment was confirmed after Roque met with school officials.

“There won’t be a lot of changes because coach Boyet and coach Ronnie implement the same system at Meralco,” said Roque. Both Fernandez and Magsanoc are assistants under Meralco coach Ryan Gregorio.

Fernandez takes over the squad that remains formidable even with the graduation of three key players. Still with the squad are Nigerian center Ola Adeogun and veterans Rome dela Rosa, Kyle Pascual and Baser Amer, who all played key roles in the championship run last year.

San Beda’s appointment meant that only three NCAA teams remain without a coach entering the new year with Mapua already appointing PBA great Atoy Co to call the shots next season.

Letran, St. Benilde and San Sebastian are expected to make announcements soon on their own coaching vacancies.