Wikipedia

San Beda Red Lions basketball

The San Beda Red Lions basketball program represents San Beda University (SBU) in men's basketball as a member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (Philippines) (NCAA). The San Beda Red Lions are the only remaining founding team in the NCAA.

San Beda Red Lions
UniversitySan Beda University
History
  • SBC Red Lions (until 2018)
  • SBU Red Lions (since 2018)
Head coachYuri Escueta (3rd season)
LocationMendiola, Manila
NicknameRed Lions
ColorsRed and White
   
PCCL Championships (2)
2014, 2015
NCAA Championships (22)
  • 1927
  • 1934
  • 1935
  • 1936
  • 1940
  • 1951
  • 1955
  • 1959
  • 1977
  • 1978
  • 2006
  • 2007
  • 2008
  • 2010
  • 2011
  • 2012
  • 2013
  • 2014
  • 2016
  • 2017
  • 2018
  • 2023

History

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Then known as San Beda College (SBC), the Mendiola-based school co-founded the NCAA in 1924, winning its first seniors' basketball title in 1927, then three straight titles from 1934 to 1936. Their three-year title run during the 1930s was led by Charles Borck.[1]

Zamora Cup and 1970s back-to-back titles

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The Zamora Cup was awarded to the first NCAA team that wins three titles after World War II. San Beda led by Carlos Loyzaga emerged as the frontrunner in 1952, winning two titles by then. The Ateneo Blue Eagles then won the next two titles. In 1955, San Beda and Ateneo made it to the Finals, in which the Red Lions won and kept permanent possession of the trophy.[2] San Beda finished the 1950s with another title in 1959, this time led by Alberto Reynoso.[3]

San Beda would not a win title again until 1977. Coached by Loreto Carbonell and led by Frankie Lim and Chito Loyzaga (Carlos's son), the Red Lions defeated Ateneo, with the deciding game being played behind closed doors due to rampant hooliganism at that time.[4] The Red Lions defended their title in 1978, defeating the De La Salle Green Archers. San Beda withdrew from the NCAA in 1984 to focus on intramural events;[5]

Return to the NCAA

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San Beda returned in 1986 The Red Lions made it to the Finals in 1991, only to be thwarted by Benny Cheng's game winner for the Mapua Cardinals.[6] They made another Finals appearance in 1996, this time against the undefeated four-time defending champions San Sebastian Stags but lost.[7] The Red Lions again made it to the Finals in 1997 but were again defeated by the Stags. During this back-to-back Finals appearance, they were coached by Dong Vergiere.[8]

San Beda won't make it to the playoffs again until 2004.[9] On that season, they took the Perpetual Altas to two games in the semifinals before they were eliminated.[10] Nash Racela, who was coaching the Red Lions at this time, was sacked at the middle of the next season and was replaced by Koy Banal.[11]

Dynasty

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In the 21st century, the Red Lions have qualified to 14 consecutive Finals, from 2006 to 2019. This was after a successful "End 28 at 82" run where they defeated the PCU Dolphins to end their 28-year title drought during the NCAA Season 82.[12] The iconic team coached by Koy Banal [13]the Red Lions were led by Yousif Aljamal, Ogie Menor and Nigerian import Samuel Ekwe. The next year, they matched the 1977–78 team by winning back-to-back titles defeating the Letran Knights.[14] The Red Lions made it three consecutive titles in 2008, beating the JRU Heavy Bombers.[15]

The Red Lions were now gunning for a fourth consecutive title, but were stopped by San Sebastian in 2009. The Red Lions won the next two Finals match-ups against the Stags.[16] In the basketball offseason, the Red Lions men's basketball team were involved in a brawl with the San Sebastian women's volleyball team; this led to the NCAA suspending Lim for two years. Lim left the Red Lions[17] and was replaced by Ronnie Magsanoc.[18] With players like Garvo Lanete, Borgie Hermida and American import Sudan Daniel, Magsanoc coached the team to a convincing Finals decider against Letran.[19] Boyet Fernandez replaced Magsanoc in the next season, and won two more titles, in 2013 with a rematch against Letran,[20] and in 2014 against the Arellano Chiefs. This five-year title run matched San Sebastian's domination from 1993 to 1997.[21]

Seeking an unprecedented sixth straight championship in 2015, the Red Lions, now coached by Jamike Jarin, faced Letran anew in the Finals, the Knights won, and stopped San Beda's title run at five.[22] The team would return in the Finals in 2016, against the Chiefs; bannered by Robert Bolick, Javee Mocon and Finals MVP Arnaud Noah of Cameroon, Jarin clinched his first NCAA title against Arellano.[23] Fernandez returned in 2017, and won two consecutive titles against the Lyceum Pirates, being reinforced by the Cameroonian Donald Tankoua.[24]

In their 21st Finals appearance, the 2020 Red Lions faced the last team that defeated them in the Finals in Letran. The Knights won in the Finals in three games.[25] Due to the COVID pandemic, the NCAA did not hold the basketball events in the 2020 season,[26] and played the 2021 tournament in early 2022.[27] San Beda were upended by the Mapua Cardinals in the elimination round and entered the playoffs without the twice-to-beat advantage. The Cardinals eliminated the San Beda, snapping their Finals streak at 14 years.[28] Management decided not to renew Fernandez's contract, and hired Yuri Escueta to replace him.[29] Escueta coached the Red Lions to another Final Four appearance, but failed to progress to the Finals, losing out to the Benilde Blazers.[30] On his second campaign, Escueta led the Red Lions to a third seed finish after the eliminations,[31] then upset the Lyceum Pirates in the semifinals.[32] San Beda won the title in three games, defeating the #1 seed Mapua Cardinals.[33]

Current roster

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NCAA Season 100

San Beda Red Lions roster
Players Coaches
Pos. No. Nat. Name Height Year High School
PF/C 21   Andrada, Yukien  (C) 6'4" (1.93m) 4th San Beda University
F 8   Bonzalida, JC 6'3" (1.91m) 1st –
F 13   Calimag, RC 6'3" (1.91m) 1st La Salle Green Hills
G 3   Calimag, Richi 6'2" (1.88m) 1st La Salle Green Hills
C 33   Celzo, Joe 6'4" (1.93m) – –
G 2   Culdora, Ismael 6'3" (1.91m) – –
G 0   Estacio, Penny 6'0" (1.83m) – San Beda University
F   Etulle, Zedjay 6'5" (1.96m) – –
G/F 12   Gonzales, Nygel 6'1" (1.85m) 2nd Mapua University
F 10   Jalbuena, Zane 6'5" (1.96m) – –
C 34   Lina, Bismarck 6'5" (1.96m) – –
G/F 18   Payosing, James 6'0" (1.83m) 3rd Jose Maria College Foundation, Inc
F 1   Puno, Jomel 6'6" (1.98m) 2nd University of the Fraser Valley
PG 77   Royo, AJ 5'8" (1.73m) 3rd Ateneo de Davao University
G 9   Sajonia, Bryan 6'0" (1.83m) – –
C   Sollano, Adrian 6'7" (2.01m) – –
F 27   Songcuya, Menard 6'4" (1.93m) – –
SG 11   Tagala, Joshua 6'0" (1.83m) 4th San Beda University
G 4   Tagle, Emman 5'10" (1.78m) 5th Philippine Christian University
C 20   Torres, Inigo 6'5" (1.96m) 2nd San Beda University
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)
Team manager
Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  •   Injured
Updated: 2024-09-03

Head coaches

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Retired numbers

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Season-by-season records

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Season League Elimination round Playoffs
Pos GP W L PCT GB GP W L Results
1999 NCAA 5th/8 14 6 8 .429 3 Did not qualify
2000 NCAA 6th/8 14 5 9 .357 6 Did not qualify
2001 NCAA 8th/8 14 2 12 .143 9 Did not qualify
2002 NCAA 7th/8 14 2 12 .143 9 Did not qualify
2003 NCAA 6th/8 14 6 8 .429 3 Did not qualify
2004 NCAA 4th/8 14 7 7 .500 3 3 2 1 Lost semifinals vs Perpetual
2005 NCAA 7th/8 14 4 10 .286 9 Did not qualify
2006 NCAA 1st/8 14 13 1 .929 — 4 3 1 Won Finals vs PCU
2007 NCAA 1st/7 12 11 1 .917 — 3 3 0 Won Finals vs Letran
2008 NCAA 1st/8 14 11 3 .786 — 5 3 2 Won Finals vs JRU
2009 NCAA 1st/10 18 16 2 .889 — 4 2 2 Lost Finals vs San Sebastian
2010 NCAA 1st/9 16 16 0 1.000 — 2 2 0 Won Finals vs San Sebastian
2011 NCAA 1st/10 18 16 2 .889 — 4 4 0 Won Finals vs San Sebastian
2012 NCAA 1st/10 18 15 3 .833 — 4 3 1 Won Finals vs Letran
2013 NCAA 1st/10 18 15 3 .833 — 4 3 1 Won Finals vs Letran
2014 NCAA 1st/10 18 13 5 .722 — 4 4 0 Won Finals vs Arellano
2015 NCAA 1st/10 18 13 5 .722 — 5 3 2 Lost Finals vs Letran
2016 NCAA 1st/10 18 14 4 .778 — 5 4 1 Won Finals vs Arellano
2017 NCAA 2nd/10 18 16 2 .889 2 3 3 0 Won Finals vs Lyceum
2018 NCAA 1st/10 18 17 1 .944 — 3 3 0 Won Finals vs Lyceum
2019 NCAA 1st/10 18 18 0 1.000 — 3 1 2 Lost Finals vs Letran
2020[a] NCAA Season canceled
2021[b] NCAA 3rd/10 9 7 2 .778 2 3 2 1 Lost semifinals vs Mapua
2022 NCAA 4th/10 18 12 6 .667 2 1 0 1 Lost semifinals vs Benilde
2023 NCAA 3rd/10 18 12 6 .667 3 5 4 1 Won Finals vs Mapua
2024 NCAA 3rd/10 18 10 8 .556 5 Qualified to semifinals
  1. ^ Season cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
  2. ^ Season postponed to early 2022 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "PH college basketball". INQUIRER.net. 2013-07-01. Retrieved 2022-10-07.
  2. ^ "NCAA's Zamora Cup". INQUIRER.net. 2013-07-08. Retrieved 2022-10-07.
  3. ^ "More on NCAA". INQUIRER.net. 2013-07-11. Retrieved 2022-10-07.
  4. ^ "Frankie Lim recalls 'wild' San Beda playing days". ESPN.com. 2020-05-14. Retrieved 2022-10-07.
  5. ^ "NCAA's tragic seasons". INQUIRER.net. 2013-07-15. Retrieved 2022-10-07.
  6. ^ "NCAA expansion in the 80s". INQUIRER.net. 2013-07-18. Retrieved 2022-10-07.
  7. ^ "Stags ruled NCAA in the 90s". INQUIRER.net. 2013-07-22. Retrieved 2022-10-07.
  8. ^ a b "Dong Vergeire, ex-national cage coach, passes away". Spin.ph. Retrieved 2022-10-07.
  9. ^ Payo, Jasmine (September 9, 2004). "Lions complete cast". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved April 6, 2021.
  10. ^ Times, The Manila (2004-09-16). "Altas, Dolphins in finals Perpetual Help repulses San Beda, PCU dethrones Letran in overtime". The Manila Times. Retrieved 2022-10-07.
  11. ^ a b Villar, Joey. "Koy Banal replaces Racela as Red Lions coach". Philstar.com. Retrieved 2022-10-07.
  12. ^ Satumbaga, Kristel (2006-09-19). "Long wait over for San Beda; Red Lions nip Dolphins, 68-67, win first NCAA title in 28 years". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved 2010-10-11.
  13. ^ "Lions launch bid to end '28 in 82'". Philstar.com. Retrieved 2024-01-11.
  14. ^ Navarro, June (September 27, 2007). "Lions repeat as NCAA champs". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved March 31, 2022.
  15. ^ "San Beda roars to '3-peat' and NCAA greatness". ABS-CBN News. 2009-09-29.
  16. ^ "The Stags without Abueva". RAPPLER. 2012-10-18. Retrieved 2022-10-24.
  17. ^ a b "San Beda coach officially resigns". RAPPLER. 2012-03-30. Retrieved 2022-10-07.
  18. ^ a b Tupas, Cedelf P. (2012-04-01). "Magsanoc takes over as San Beda head coach". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved 2022-10-24.
  19. ^ Flores, Celest R. (2012-10-26). "San Beda routs Letran for third straight NCAA title and 17th overall". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved 2022-10-24.
  20. ^ Giongco, Mark (2013-11-16). "San Beda's NCAA reign continues after beating Letran in Game 3". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved 2022-10-24.
  21. ^ "The Dynasty Continues: San Beda wins 5th straight NCAA title". RAPPLER. 2014-10-22. Retrieved 2022-10-24.
  22. ^ "Letran beats San Beda in Game 3, wins first NCAA title in 10 years". RAPPLER. 2015-10-29. Retrieved 2022-10-24.
  23. ^ "San Beda sweeps Arellano for record 20th NCAA title". RAPPLER. 2016-10-11. Retrieved 2022-10-24.
  24. ^ Villar, Joey. "San Beda rebuilding as Lions still see red". Philstar.com. Retrieved 2022-10-24.
  25. ^ "Letran ends San Beda's three-year NCAA reign with thrilling Game 3 win". Spin.ph. Retrieved 2022-10-24.
  26. ^ "Contact sports will not be featured in NCAA Season 96". ph.news.yahoo.com. Retrieved 2022-10-24.
  27. ^ Masoy, Niel Victor C. (2022-03-20). "NCAA Season 97 ready to roll on March 26". The Manila Times. Retrieved 2022-10-24.
  28. ^ Li, Matthew (2022-05-11). "NCAA 97: Mapua ends San Beda's 14-season finals streak, sets up Battle of Intramuros". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved 2022-10-24.
  29. ^ a b Li, Matthew (2022-07-26). "San Beda appoints Escueta as head coach, Fernandez as consultant". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved 2022-10-07.
  30. ^ Jr, Rommel Fuertes (2022-11-29). "St. Benilde back in NCAA Finals after 20 years, knocks off San Beda". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved 2023-10-01.
  31. ^ "San Beda Red Lions warm up for Final Four with closing win over Letran". Spin.ph. Retrieved 2023-12-25.
  32. ^ Co, Adrian Stewart (2023-12-02). "San Beda eliminates Lyceum, enters NCAA basketball finals". Panay News. Retrieved 2023-12-25.
  33. ^ Navarro, June (2023-12-17). "San Beda beats Mapua to reclaim NCAA basketball championship". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved 2023-12-25.
  34. ^ a b "These NCAA coaches cultivated breeding ground of future PBA stars". Spin.ph. Retrieved 2023-07-20.
  35. ^ "Filipino Olympian Loreto 'Bonnie' Carbonell passes away at 84". Spin.ph. Retrieved 2023-07-20.
  36. ^ Villar, Joey. "This may be the Year of Red Lions". Philstar.com. Retrieved 2023-07-20.
  37. ^ "Collegiate champ Koy Banal applies for UE Red Warriors head coaching post - report". RAPPLER. 2017-12-22. Retrieved 2022-10-07.
  38. ^ Villar, Joey. "Fernandez replaces Magsanoc as San Beda coach". Philstar.com. Retrieved 2022-10-07.
  39. ^ "Jarin replaces Fernandez as San Beda coach". Retrieved 2022-10-07.
  40. ^ Del Rosario, Paolo (2016-12-19). "NCAA: Boyet Fernandez back as San Beda head coach". CNN Philippines. Archived from the original on December 20, 2016.
  41. ^ "San Beda to retire #14 for basketball legend Caloy Loyzaga". ABS-CBN Sports. May 13, 2016. Retrieved May 13, 2016.

Further reading

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  • "A Time to Roar: Ending 28 at 82: Reviving the Bedan Animo" by Jude P. Roque ASIN B007HG637E
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