FOR coach Marvin Bienvenida, the road to La Salle Greenhills’ title-retention bid in the National Collegiate Athletic Association Season 94 Junior basketball starts now.
Bienvenida, 37, said the Saint Benilde-La Salle Greenhills Baby Blazers joined the Philippine Secondary Schools Basketball Championship last Dec. 16 and will also play in the Got Skills tournament next year to prepare the team for a bigger battle next NCAA season.
“We are expecting Season 94 to be tougher and more difficult, that’s why we joined pre-season tournaments like PSSBC and then next year, the Got Skills tournament. Right now, we are competing in the MMBL (Metro Manila Basketball League) and we’re 2-1 there,” said Bienvenida, an alumnus of La Salle Greenhills in 1998.
“I’m testing some of the players here in these tournaments prior to the formation of the pool next year,” he added.
The ex-University of the Philippines guard will form the La Salle-Greenhills pool by March to determine the composition of the team. Bienvenida said the players from Team B are expected to replace graduating players Jacob Lao, Joshua Marcos, JM Pedrosa, Kairl Beljica and Albert Boldeos.
Finals’ heroes Joel Cagulangan and Josh David will once again anchor the team’s campaign next season. along with Jared Lao, Inand Fornilos, Nikki Perez, Sidney Masqueda, Diego Morales, Joshua Dela Cruz, 6’9” Ladis Lepalam and Mark Daniel Sangco.
Bienvenida added his team will be the target next season of all teams.
“Last season, we were ranked No. 7, but now, we’re expecting Season 94 to be tighter in terms of the competition that’s why we really need to prepare seriously,” added Bienvenida, whose team survived an exhausting four knockout games to win its first-ever NCAA junior title since 1998.
After finishing with an 11-7 record, La Salle Greenhills knocked off San Sebastián in the playoff round for the last spot in the final four before defeating many-time champion San Beda High School twice in the semifinal round to land in the finals and meet Mapua.
La Salle Greenhills took Game 1 in the finals, before losing Game 2. But it found a way to nip Mapua in Game 3 to capture the crown last Nov. 24.
“The players will cherish this unforgettable experience forever. But now, we have to prepare for another chapter—our title defense —next season,” said Bienvenida, who thanked all the players, coaching staff, the school community and the management who support the school through ups and downs last season.
Meanwhile, a grand victory party celebration for La Salle Greenhills Greenies will be held on Jan. 19 at the La Salle Greenhills football field. All the graduates and students of La Salle Greenhills are invited.