REIGNING NCAA champion San Beda University has its work cut out for it in the 100th NCAA basketball tournament set to start in mid-August.
Red Lions coach Yuri Escueta is treating his wards’ title defense with guarded optimism.
“Of course, every time coming into the season positive ako so I believe that every time na mag-start iyong season na we’re gonna perform well,” Escueta said. “But again, there’s gonna be challenges kasi lahat ng teams lumakas.
“Kami lang yata iyong medyo nabawasan so it’s going to be a challenge this coming season for us talaga,” he added.
San Beda, which regained the title after four years, will enter the season without ace playmaker Jacob Cortez, who transferred to La Salle in the UAAP, and Peter Alfaro due to graduation.
But despite losing some of his key cogs, Escueta will still have finals MVP James Payosing, Jomel Puno and incoming cagers expected to step up.
