HINDI naging maganda ang umpisa ng San Beda Red Lions sa NCAA Season 89 subalit unti-unti na silang nakababawi at umaangat na sa team standings. Target ni San Beda head coach Boyet Fernandez ang makuha ng Red Lions ang ikaapat na sunod na kampeonato. Alam niyang hindi magiging madali para sa kanya na matupad ang layuning ito kaya iaasa niya ang naturang misyon kina Baser Amer, Rome dela Rosa, Art dela Cruz, Ola Adeogun at Kyle Pascual. Nakapanayam ng Bandera si Coach Boyet at narito ang kanyang sinabi.
Bakit hindi naging maganda ang umpisa ng San Beda sa season na ito?
We had a good start sa opening game namin. Our players thought it was a won game. Kaya nakabalik ang St. Benilde. Tapos sa Lyceum, di pa namin nakikita ang laro nila.
At pinaghandaan kami talaga ng LPU. During that game, nawala ang intensity namin. Ang LPU naman sobra ang intensity. After that game, we realized that NCAA Season 89 will be tough. It will not be a walk in the park for us.
Naging overconfident ba ang defending champion San Beda sa unang dalawang laro nito?
Our players thought na kahit kalahati lang ang ibigay nila, mananalo pa rin kami. Kasi nga, we beat strong teams in Fil-Oil. So sinabi ko sa kanila na sa Season 89, kailangan 100% ang ibigay nila para manalo kami.
Anong mga adjustments ang ginawa mo para manalo uli ang team mo?
We have tried different starting fives to address our slow start. We are trying different match-ups. We are still looking for the best five to start our games.
In our last two games, although we started slow, our bench stepped up. As long as our players who are coming off the bench play well, ok pa rin kami. But we still want to get the best start in our games.
Matindi ba ang pressure sa iyo na magkampeon ang San Beda sa ikaapat na sunod na pagkakataon?
Hindi maaalis ‘yun dahil San Beda has already won three straight championships. I am taking over a team that has a winning tradition. The pressure is really there.
Pero sabi ko sa sarili ko, all I can do is to prepare my team well in all our games. As long as I am ready with my team to play against our opponents, mawawala na ‘yung kaba at pressure. As long as we do our homework, whatever the outcome will be, we can face everybody with our heads held high.
Anong team ang tingin mo magiging matinding karibal ng San Beda para sa kampeonato?
If you look at the early goings of the tournament, Letran is doing very well. Arellano will always be there too. Perpetual is also doing well.
Ano masasabi mo sa pagpasok ng mga dating PBA players bilang coach sa NCAA Season 89?
I am happy for everyone. Siyempre, added employment ‘yun sa former PBA players. Happy ako na ‘yung career path ng PBA players hindi tumitigil sa pagiging player lang.
Saan mas mahirap mag-coach, sa PBA o NCAA?
Mas mahirap sa college basketball. You have to be patient as a coach in college basketball. Bata kasi ang players sa NCAA at kailangan mong ulit-ulitin ang instructions para makuha nila.
Sa PBA, konting instructions lang, kuha na. You also have to teach the fundamentals in college basketball. Tapos, nag-aaral pa ang mga ‘yan. But it is more rewarding to coach in the NCAA.
Not in the financial sense ha. Pag napunta kasi sa PBA ang player mo, you somehow feel that you are a part of his success. Na natulungan mo siya to get a better life through basketball.
Ano fearless forecast mo para sa San Beda sa kasalukuyang NCAA season?
Well, I took this job with the intention of winning. Even if the pressure is great, I believe San Beda has what it takes to make history once again. If we stick to our gameplan, I think we will succeed.
Sa tingin mo, magtatagal ka ba sa San Beda?
I hope so. And I am praying for that. Although I am not a Bedan, I already love the school. I love the community. I love the Fathers. I love the players. So I hope I can stay longer to give San Beda more championships.
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