WITHOUT a doubt, things didn't go as planned for rebuilding San Sebastian in the Playtime Cares Filoil EcoOil 18th Preseason Cup.
The Golden Stags were the first team to bid adieu in the preseason tourney after going winless in nine games.
Proving his leadership this early, however, first-year shot-caller Rob Labagala took responsibility for their campaign without celebration.
“There's no excuse. We're 0-9. I, myself, I'll take responsibility,” he expressed after their 92-76 loss to Arellano last Saturday.
Nonetheless, Labagala was more than glad to look at a silver lining - the fact that slowly but surely, 'Never Say Die' was being embedded into Baste's core.
As the former Ginebra guard put it, ‘Pangunang talo, pangalawang talo, tatlong talo, eight na talo before going into this game, that's 'NSD' spirit na eh.”
“Ngayon, from the 0-9, 'NSD' spirit should also be there going into the NCAA. We really need that, especially bata ‘yung team.”
A Bravo future for Baste
Aside from a new head coach, San Sebastian also welcomed multiple newcomers such as NCAA Season 100 Juniors Mythical Team member Jhuniel dela Rama and NBTC All-Star MVP Ian Cuajao.
The University of the Philippines Integrated School's Jaime Gomez de Liano and NU-Nazareth School's Gab Nepacena and Thomas Pillado are part of this rebuild in Recto, as well.
“Happy ako for them kasi they are in a position right now that they, as a rookie, they'll have a great opportunity to turn around the program,” the 40-year-old coach said.
“Our maturity will not be based on age, it will be based doon sa kung paano namin ina-accept ‘yung responsibility,”
With these rookie joining key holdovers Paeng Arena and TJ Felebrico, the Golden Stags remain determined to climb back up from a ninth-place finish last season.
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