San Beda guns for repeat sans Daniel

MANILA, Philippines – The San Beda Red Lions are determined to repeat as champions in Season 87 of the NCAA, but they will have a more difficult road this year.

San Beda had engineered an amazing 18-game sweep in Season 86, but they will have a tougher time this year as last season's MVP, Sudan Daniel, sustained an ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) injury on his left knee, and will be out for the entire NCAA season.

His teammates are confident that they can still perform at a high level, even without their star big man.

"We have to move on," said San Beda guard Garvo Lanete in an interview on ANC's "Hardball".

Lanete said their other big men will simply have to step up in the absence of Daniel.

"We gotta get used to it," added forward Rome dela Rosa. "We gotta be ready for the season and defend the crown."

Super rookie

Sports analyst and ANC host Boyet Sison said rookie Baser Amer will give the Red Lions a big boost.

Despite being heavily recruited by other colleges, Amer decided to stay in San Beda, allowing the team to easily recover from the graduation of star guard Borgie Hermida.

"Baser Amer is such a talented point guard," he said.

Sison said that with Amer manning the point position, San Beda's ball movement will be something to look out for.

Dela Rosa agreed.

"He can shoot, he can score. He's pretty much like Borgie," said Dela Rosa. "He just needs to get used to the team."

Pressure

The Red Lions admitted that they feel pressured to once again produce another magical season, especially on the heels of a dominant 2010 campaign.

"We were 18-0 last year, so everyone's looking forward to another season just like that," said Dela Rosa.

San Beda's front court players will also be under the microscope as they try to fill in the void left by Daniel.

Kyle Pascual, and the Semerad twins Dave and Anthony will have to step up their shotblocking and rebounding. They will have to prove that they can be counted on to lead San Beda's post defense.

Other players will also have to play more aggressive individual defense.

"Su (Daniel) was our last line of defense," Lanete said. "Kung may nakalusot, nandun pa rin si Su para i-bother 'yong shot, or i-block. Ngayon, focused na talaga kami sa individual defense."

More challengers

With the NCAA expanding to include Lyceum, there are more challengers to San Beda.

Anthony Semerad believes that San Sebastian and Mapua will be the biggest threats to their team.

"Mapua did a lot of recruiting," he said. The most important addition to Mapua is center Yousef Taha, who dominated the preseason and was the Best Defensive Player of the FilOil Flying V Tournament."

Semerad added that San Sebastian remains a strong, veteran-laden team.

But the Red Lions remain confident that they can claim their 5th championship in 6 years.

San Beda still has a handful of veteran players who are motivated to repeat as champions, as well as a talented young point guard in Amer. With Coach Frankie Lim steering the ship, the Red Lions should be favored to rule the NCAA again in Season 87.

Camile Naredo, ABS-CBN News