Lim confident despite having big shoes to fill

Manila Bulletin Online
March 21, 2007
by Kristel Satumbaga

Frankie Lim may have big shoes to fill, but the one-time San Beda standout isn’t afraid to declare that he won’t accept nothing less than retaining the NCAA basketball championship for the Red Lions.

Lim was selected as replacement for Koy Banal, who, despite steering the Red Lions to their first championship in 28 years, was unceremoniously dumped by the school administration with reasons still unclear until today.

"We are very busy preparing for the NCAA. Everybody in our team is focused on winning because second place is not an option for us," said Lim, who was picked as coach from a slew of aspirants that included veteran PBA mentors, all of them San Beda alumni.

Lim will reap the benefits of that championship, including a trip to the United States in May, where the Red Lions will highlight their preparation for the coming NCAA season with games against some US collegiate teams.

Lim’s appointment was made official by San Beda rector Fr. Anscar Chupungo yesterday.

"I am very honored," said Lim, a member of the 1978 NCAA SBC champion team.

From college, Lim went on to play in PBA where he suited up for Great Taste, Alaska and Tanduay Rhum.

Among those who aspired to coach the San Beda team were current University of the East mentor Dindo Pumaren, Ateneo de Manila high school coach Jamike Jarin, former PBA coach Eric Altamirano and former San Beda assistant coach Jude Roque – all San Beda alumni.

Lim has been handling the team for nearly two months and during that period, the Red Lions won two games against University of the Philippines and Jose Rizal University on the way to the finals of the Fr. Martin Cup, losing to Ateneo in the championship game. The Red Lions were also beaten by reigning UAAP titlist University of Santo Tomas in an exhibition game last Feb. 25.

Lim will concurrently stay as team manager of Talk ‘N Text in the PBA.

Reports say Banal was fired after he was asked to choose whether he was willing to drop his other jobs as coach of Magnolia in the PBL and assistant coach of Purefoods in the PBA

School officials reportedly were not happy that he was holding simultaneous coaching positions while handling the Red Lions which caused some confusion, if not discomfort, as the school closed in on the NCAA title year.

There was an instance when Banal had to choose between Magnolia and San Beda, the two teams having to play at the same time and day, and he chose the PBL team at a crucial stage of the NCAA campaign, leading to a loss that snapped San Beda’s winning streak.

Apparently, ina showdown, Banal chose to stick with the PBL and PBA teams.

It’s now up for Lim whether San Beda will wait another 28 years to win another championship.