Fernandez to coach Red Lions

MANILA, Philippines - Boyet Fernandez has taken over from Ronnie Magsanoc as head coach of the San Beda Lions this coming NCAA cage season.

Fernandez was actually named as early as Dec. 22 during the Lions’ Christmas party attended by top patron and telecommunication magnate Manny V. Pangilinan, or MVP to many, but San Beda rector-president Fr. Aloysius Maranan, OSB, will only make an official announcement of his appointment anytime now.

“It’s confirmed,” said the source privy to the team.

Fernandez’s name came out after Magsanoc, who steered the Lions to an NCAA best 17th title on his rookie season as coach, resigned to concentrate on his assistant coach job with the Meralco Bolts.

San Beda team manager Jude Roque stressed the school might have been influenced by Pangilinan’s strong recommendation of Fernandez.

“The school has decided on MVP’s recommendation,” said Roque.

Fernandez himself confirmed it to Roque in a story he wrote for Yahoo! PH Sports.

“There’s too much pressure because I have to fill the big shoes of Ronnie,” Fernandez told Roque. “But I’m excited to coach San Beda, as this is a new challenge for me.  I’m very thankful to the school, MVP and the management for this opportunity.”

Fernandez will take over an almost intact team that reigned supreme in last year’s NCAA season with a two-game sweep of Letran.

Fernandez though has a rollercoaster coaching resume that includes steering Sta. Lucia to its last PBA title before it disbanded two years ago, a winless stint at University of the Philippines in the UAAP the same year and several title triumphs with the NLEX Road Warriors in the D-League.

The veteran coach will inherit an already loaded San Beda roster that is expected to rely heavily on Nigerian Olaide Adeogun and Baser Amer as it shoots for a four-peat feat, a seventh title in the last eight seasons and an 18th crown that will further underscore its domination of the oldest collegiate league in the land today.