NCAA: Wide open race looms

Manila, Philippines - With a big gaping hole on San Beda’s rotation, the coming 87th NCAA basketball competition is viewed as a virtual open race among 10 participating schools.

The Red Lions lost a major ingredient of their titlular run the previous year to injury, ACL-hit American center Sudan Daniel, which practically tipped the balance of power in the league.

“The rest of the field built up and reinforced their teams, whereas we had diminished firepower because we lost Su (Daniel),” San Beda coach Frankie Lim said during yesterday’s launch and presscon at ABS-CBN.

“I won’t say we’re weak but we’re not as strong as last year. Still, we’ll give it a shot,” he added. “Our challenge is to prove that we can win without Su.”

The 6-8 Daniel suffered an ACL during a pre-season game and would sit out the season. Daniel’s supposed eventual replacement, Nigerian Ola Adeogun, is still serving residency this year, leaving Dave Marcelo, Jake Pascual, Kyle Pascual and twins Anthony and David Semerad to try to fill in the void.

Among the teams expected to benefit from the new balance of power is Mapua, which reached the finals of the Fr. Martin Cup and the quarterfinals of the FilOil pre-season tourney.

“The competition became balanced with Daniel out. We know that Daniel is not just for offense but also for defense; everytime he’s inside the court for San Beda, he alters the offense of the opponents,” Mapua coach Chito Victolero said.

The Cardinals, who last won a title in 1991, loom as a serious contender this year, owing to the acquisition of 6-7 Fil-Palestinian Yousef Taha. With Taha in the middle and the rest of the team, led by veteran guard Allan Mangahas showing more maturity, MIT did well in summer leagues.

“Last year, we’re not tall; we’re small but quick. But now, we’re tall and our small men are becoming more mature, especially Mangahas who learned so much from his experience in the (PBA) D-League and will be a big factor in our journey this year,” said Victolero.

Former champion San Sebastian College will be bannered by experienced Calvin Abueva, Ronald Pascual, Ian Sangalang, and Anthony del Rio under returning coach Turo Valenzona.

“We lost some players and had changes in our system. But if the players will play without let up and go all out, I believe there’s no reason we can’t come back,” said Valenzona.

Perpetual coach Jimwell Gican, who just assumed the job following the recent resignation of Boris Aldeguer, said all the teams are strong and can actually win the championship.

The NCAA will have its traditional opening rites on July 2 at 1 p.m. at the Big Dome, with three games kicking off action. San Beda takes on host Perpetual at 2 pm, San Sebastian battles Jose Rizal at 4 p.m, and Letran collides with Mapua at 6 p.m.