Fernandez back as Lions coach

MANILA, Philippines – Boyet Fernandez held his first practice with the Red Lions Thursday and vowed to steer San Beda to another championship this year.

“I told the players that it will be a disappointment if San Beda will not win the championship this coming season so we need to work harder because it will not be easy since the opposing teams improved a lot,” said Fernandez, who led the school to back-to-back victories in 2013-14 before moving to the PBA.

Fernandez was re-appointed as mentor of the school after Jamike Jarin moved to the UAAP to handle the National U Bulldogs.

In his first meeting with the Lions, Fernandez saw familiar faces in Radge Tongco and Jayvee Mocon, who were rookies in his last season with the school, and Cameroonians Donald Tankoua and Arnaud Noah, AC Soberano and Jomari Presbitero, whom he recruited for SBC’s second team.

But he stressed that it’s all back to square one since most of his players are new.

“For me, it’s all back to zero because most of the players I saw were new and I need to familiarize them with my system,” said Fernandez, noted for his defense-first style of play that netted the Lions a pair of crowns under his watch.

“I like Jamike’s system, fast paced, full court pressure all the way, but I’m more of a disciplined system that does not gamble too much,” said Fernandez. “Last year, San Beda was the No. 1 team in forcing turnovers but we’re not that good in limiting the opposing team’s points, which is about 90 per game.

“This year, we will slow things down and get that cut to just 70, which was about the same average our opponents have when I was still coaching here,” he added.

Fernandez said they will join the PBA D-League where he will bring in six players headed by Fil-Am Davon Potts, Mocon and Robert Bolick.

They are looking at a training stint in Las Vegas and compete in several tournaments this summer to bolster their title-retention drive in the NCAA.