San Beda University head coach Boyet Fernandez was happy to see that former Red Cubs joined the team as they try to regain the title in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Season 97.
This year, the Mendiola-based squad is joined by junior standouts Rhayyan Amsali, Justine Sanchez, Tony Ynot, and Yukien Andrada, all of whom suited up in San Beda's 84-76 triumph of Lyceum of the Philippines University (LPU) on Saturday.
"I'm happy with the way they stepped up. I'm happy with the way they played even though Justine didn't play for quite some time but you know, he has been following his kuyas," Fernandez said in a post-game interview.
"Hopefully, they can mature right away so that they can help us. Maganda naman yung pinakita nila."
Among the four, Ynot was the most impressive by numbers after he churned out 10 points and three rebounds while Andrada and Amsali finished with five and four markers, respectively.
Sanchez, however, saw limited minutes as he went scoreless in barely five minutes of action.
Fernandez shared that the four cagers could help fill in the spots left by foreign student-athletes, who are no longer seeing action in the league starting this season. San Beda was previously reinforced by center Donald Tankoua.
"Three years ago, we already knew that there will be no foreign athletes so we're trying to get the Cubs in the team kasi wala ngang foreign athletes para ma-fill in nila 'yung spots ng mga foreign athletes," added Fernandez.
"Medyo iba lang 'yung composition ng team right now but again, Im happy with what we have right now so hopefully, we can follow this win in the next game."
—JMB, GMA News
