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Men’s basketball coaches during a press conference ahead of the NCAA Season 102. –NCAA PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines—The NCAA Season 102 men’s basketball tournament will see two experienced coaches call the shots for Lyceum and Mapua.
First, former Magnolia coach Chito Victolero was appointed as the newest shot-caller for the Cardinals, replacing champion tactician Randy Alcantara.
READ: NCAA: San Beda embraces tough challenge as team to beat
Not long after that, Lyceum tapped former Phoenix mentor Jamike Jarin to return to the collegiate basketball scene and steer the Pirates.
With both tacticians holding pedigrees in the PBA, the competition just got a lot tougher. Just ask San Beda coach Yuri Escueta and Benilde’s Charles Tiu.
“It’s such a big thing for college basketball and the NCAA to have coaches of their caliber. For me as a a coach, it’ll be a pleasure to play against them and learn from them,” Escueta told the Inquirer after the Season 102 press conference at Mall of Asia Arena on Monday.
“You really have to prepare when you face these kinds of coaches. They’re not just ex-professional league coaches but they’re champions as well. They know how to win titles.”
READ: Charles Tiu doesn’t mind ‘tiring’ grind as he steers CSB in NCAA
Victolero made a name for himself in the PBA after helping the Hotshots win the 2018 Governors’ Cup title.
Jarin, meanwhile, is definitely no stranger to the NCAA as he steered the Red Lions to the Season 92 title in 2016 via a sweep of Arellano in the Finals.
Now, both coaches are heading back to the Grand Old League, and while Tiu feels it’ll be a challenge for the Blazers, it will also be a welcome addition to the NCAA.
“They’re great experienced champion coaches. They will all raise the level of basketball in the NCAA,” said the Fuel Masters mentor.
“[It] may be bad for us in our chances to win but good for the league overall,” he added.
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The NCAA officially opens the curtain for Season 102 on September 13 at the same venue.
