LOOKING AHEAD OF the National Collegiate Athletic Association’s (NCAA) 99th season and into the league’s centennial season, the San Beda Red Lions added three new young talents to its ever-growing roster in the person of Ronrei Tolentino, Menard Songcuya, and Penny Estacio. 

Tolentino, a 6-foot-3 Ilonggo winger for Centro Escolar University (CEU) Scorpions averaged 9.1 points, 6.2 boards, 2.2 assists and 1.7 steals to help the Scorpions secure a third-place podium finish in last year’s PG Flex – Universities and Colleges Basketball League (UCBL) invitational tournament. 

Meanwhile, Songcuya, a product of the National University-Nazareth School (NUNS) program standing at 6-foot-5 is expected to complement another transferee in ex-Far Eastern University (FEU) big man Joe Celzo.  

Rounding out this batch of recruits is the returning Penny Estacio who decided to leave De La Salle University (DLSU) to reunite with San Beda University (SBU). Estacio, a former Red Cub, was a sparkplug for the De La Salle University (DLSU) Green Archers, averaging 4.77 points, 1.62 rebounds, and 1.69 assists off the bench.  

“I opted for San Beda because, from a practical standpoint, it offers me the most opportunities. Additionally, I’m acquainted with the school and the people, having studied here during my high school years,” Estacio confirmed in an interview with Tiebreaker Times. 

Besides his comeback, Estacio also reunites with familiar faces such as Songcuya, Celzo, and Bryan Sajonia all of whom were part of FEU’s program. While he also joins his fellow Red Cubs the Calimag brothers, RC and Richi who are also waiting in the wings to debut in season 100. 

Speaking of his teammates Estacio said that he is “thrilled about reuniting with my Season 100 teammates, and I’m eagerly anticipating the chance to play alongside my former teammates once again. This is something I’m eagerly looking forward to.” 

Photos courtesy of Filbasket Facebook page