SAN Beda looks fine in the post-Robert Bolick era, and the "Bandana Bros" are ready to take over.
Only in their sophomore year with the Red Lions, Evan Nelle and James Canlas have seized the baton to be the undoubtful leaders for the boys in Mendiola.
And they have their bandanas to show for it.
"I think it's like a new drip, a new style," said the Fil-Canadian Canlas, with the two starting the trend back in their quarterfinals game against Far Eastern University in the 2019 Filoil Flying V Preseason Cup.
"We'll do it in the NCAA also, like the Splash Bros."
But more than the fashion statement, coach Boyet Fernandez lauded the young backcourt duo for the poise they're showing on the court for San Beda in the offseason, highlighted by its championship win in the summer tournament.
"I already told these two guys that you really have to play the way San Beda plays and you really have to be the leaders of this team," the four-time NCAA champion coach said. "Evan is the point guard, James is playing the two, so again, I need a leader in this team."
"As for the bandana, I think that's really their sign of brotherhood. They're really the best of friends."
Nelle said that he and Canlas don't really cower in the magnitude of the responsibility vested on them this early in their collegiate careers, approaching the role as a challenge to make up for the graduation of their leaders.
"Actually, di siya nakakapressure. It's fun and the challenge is fun," said the 21-year-old court general.
Yet even though Nelle and Canlas have already taken the lead for the Red Lions, the veterans' contributions to their growth shouldn't be overlooked.
"We accepted the leadership role right away, but we're working on it pa," said Nelle. "We can't really say that we're the leaders na. We're working on our games and we have good captains in AC (Soberano) and Clint (Doliguez), and our veterans namin na si Donald (Tankoua), Nono (Noah), and Calvin (Oftana), they're grooming us naman."
Fernandez, though, believes that his backcourt of the future is already primed for the present.
"Without Robert and Javee (Mocon), we need these two and as long as they continue to play beautiful music together, we'll be a team to be reckoned with," he said.
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