Daniels to miss NCAA season due to injury

THE SAN BEDA Red Lions’ drive for a second straight crown is in jeopardy as reigning MVP Sudan Daniel will be sidelined for the rest of the upcoming NCAA season as a result of a knee injury.

The 6-foot-8 American center tore his anterior cruciate ligament in a preseason game against the Ateneo Blue Eagles last month.

This development puts the pressure squarely on the shoulders on the Lions’ other frontliners, namey Dave Marcelo, Kyle Pascual and Jake Pascual.

Daniel was a key cog in the Lions’ title drive last year, wherein they captured the crown in historic fashion, sweeping all their games for an 18-0 mark.

“Maraming lumakas ngayon, ang problema kami ang humina. ,” said San Beda coach Frankie Lim.

This leaves the title race wide open with 2009 champion and last year’s runner-up San Sebastian leading the hungry pack.

Letran, Mapua and Jose Rizal are slated to be contenders while the other schools have also rounded out the edges on their rosters in order to take their play to the next level. Lyceum was recently accepted as the league’s 10th team on probationary status.

The NCAA’s season 87, dubbed  “Brazen at 87,” kicks off this Saturday./Correspondent Jonas Panerio