Lions to decide on 2nd import

MANILA, Philippines - With Donald Tankoua virtually in, San Beda will choose from either fellow Cameroonian Arnaud Noah or Nigerian Toba Eugene to backstop the Lions’ title-retention bid in the NCAA basketball tournament which fires off July 8 at the MOA Arena in Pasay City.

Although team officials said they will still decide on who among the three will make the squad, team manager Jude Roque hinted at Tankoua’s playing to his full potential come the second round of eliminations.

“Donald (Tankoua) will play minimal minutes in the first round because he’s not yet 100 percent,” said Roque, during yesterday’s PSA Forum at the Golden Phoenix Hotel in Pasay accompanied by players Franz Abuda and Jeremer Cabanag.

Tankoua tore an ACL (Anterior Cruciate Ligament) late in the second round last season but the Lions bucked his absence and went on to recapture the crown.

“The truth is, we will decide tonight (yesterday) at the earliest because there are still players who have yet to submit their complete grades, including our imports,” said Roque. 

Only two foreign players are allowed in the league and with the team leaning on tapping Tankoua again, the Lions will have to choose between Noah, the NCAA Finals MVP last year, and the super athletic Eugene.

The Lions will be coming into the NCAA Season 93 wars oozing with confidence following their 11-game title sweep of the Filoil Premier Cup recently, capped by a 75-72 win over the La Salle Archers, the UAAP champions, in the finals.

“I think this is one of the strongest San Beda teams assembled and definitely the tallest because we have an average height of 6-2 to 6-3,” said Roque, referring to Eugene, Tankoua, Kenmark Carino, Ben Adamos, Calvin Oftana, Antonio Bonsubre and William Navarro.