San Beda University lost a key piece in Calvin Oftana to graduation but the Red Lions may have just found his heir apparent.
San Beda head coach Boyet Fernandez shared he sees a young version of Oftana in rookie forward Justin Sanchez, who played a key role in defending Colegio de San Juan de Letran's Rhenz Abando on Friday.
With Sanchez mainly guarding Abando, the star transferee was held scoreless in the first half and was only able to rack up 10 points and seven rebounds.
"Justine probably played sparingly in the past two games but may plano pa rin talaga kami sa kanya," said Fernandez following a heartbreaking 59-56 loss.
"Nakikita ko siya eh, siya 'yung batang Calvin Oftana. So hopefully the way he played today is a sign of good future for him in San Beda."
The 20-year-old Sanchez is among San Beda's prized recruits from its high school program along with Rhayyan Amsali, Tony Ynot, and Yukien Andrada
And just like Oftana, Sanchez could be a two-way player for the Red Lions.
Sanchez is averaging 2.3 points and 1.0 rebound coming off the bench. Despite the modest numbers, Fernandez is preaching patience as he knows his young guns will pick up at the right time.
"Sa totoo lang, those guys that we've got from the Cubs ay magagaling naman talaga, kulang lang talaga sila ng laro because they came in 2020 and walang laro, we've been out for two years and we just practiced in January," said Fernandez.
"Mahirap talaga so walang experience talaga na nakuha 'yung mga players ko pero I'm not sourgraping about that."
—JMB, GMA News
