Ni: Marivic Awitan

Kung gusto nilang manalo, kailangan ng San Beda na dumepensa.

Ganito ang naging message ni Red Lions coach Boyet Fernandez kasunod ng natamong 91-96 na pagkabigo nila sa kamay ng Lyceum nitong Biyernes sa NCAA Season 93 basketball tournament sa Fil Oil Flying V Arena sa San Juan.

Para kay Fernandez, ang maraming kabiguan sa ikalawa nilang laro ay inaasahan nyang magbubukas sa mga mata ng Red Lions na hindi magiging ganun kadali ang kanilang title retention bid.

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“There are very strong teams ahead of us. We know that they’re looking at us, but as I’ve said, there are so many teams that has gotten stronger right now,” ani Fernandez.

Hinayaan ng San Beda na mangyari ang plano ng Lyceum na gawin lahat o halos mag -isang buhatin ni Robert Bolick ang Red Lions..“I know they wanted Bolick to attack the basket, so for us, we really have to rotate the ball."

“We had 20 assists, it’s just a matter of making the shots for the other guys. We have to take those open shots when Bolick gives up the ball," dagdag nito.

Sa kabila ng pagkatalo, optimistiko si Fernandez na makakayang bumangon ng Red Lions dahil batid na nila ngayon ang kahalagahan ng depensa.

"Giving up 96 points is not our defense, so if we want to beat LPU, we can’t play them offense-on-offense. We have to make stops. They really scored at will and I take the blame for that,” anang Red Lions mentor.