Ex-Pros Invade NCAA Season 86

VERGEL Meneses and Leo Isaac have proven their mettle as professional cagers in the Philippine Basketball Association over the last two decades.

Meneses and Isaac, two of six ex-PBA cagers who will be coaching collegiate squads starting this season, hope to bring their basketball smarts to their respective teams when the 86th season of the National Collegiate Athletic Association kicks off on Saturday with collegiate basketball games at the Araneta Coliseum.

After a seven-month wait, Meneses will finally debut as coach of Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers in the regular season when they face last year’s runner-up San Beda Red Lions in one of the day’s two opening matches at 4 p.m.

Isaac, meanwhile, returns to active duty as Arellano University coach after a year of absence. He will debut as coach in the NCAA when the Chiefs take on the Emilio Aguinaldo College on Sunday at the Filoil Flying V Arena in San JUan.

“The team is learning to be consistent. Sana ma-transfer sa NCAA ang consistency na ito,” said Meneses during yesterday’s press conference of the NCAA at the ELJ Bldg. of the ABS-CBN Compound in Quezon City.

Meneses took over as JRU coach after the school let go of Ariel Vanguardia when the Bombers missed the finals after bowing to defending champion San Sebastian Stags in the Final Four.

Isaac replaced Junjie Ablan, who returned to his original post as coach of the Arellano Baby Chiefs. Isaac’s post as athletics chief went to the school’s marketing head Val Cayco.

“Susubukan namin ang bagong program para sa mga players. We hope the boys will show some improvements,” said Isaac, who is eyeing to improve the Chiefs’ fifth place finish in the 85th season.

The season will banner the theme “Youthspeak at 86.”

NCAA policy board chairman Fr. Anthony Morillo of host San Sebastian explained that the theme speaks of empowering the youth with leadership and nationalism, and to set a direction on youth development beyond the excitement on the hardcourt.

Meanwhile, defending champion San Sebastian and San Beda are tipped to make it back to the Final Four.

Coach Renato Agustin, another retired PBA cager, will parade a nearly intact lineup when the Stags seek their second straight crown, while San Beda coach Frankie Lim will bank on a talented squad which boasts of Fil-Australian twins Anthony and David Semerad, Fil-American Kyle Pascual and veterans Sudan Daniel, Rome de la Rosa and Dave Marcelo.

Peter Atencio, Manila Standard