San Beda University will have to defend its National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) crown with an entirely different pack.

With none of its starting five from last season returning, Red Lions head coach Yuri Escueta knows a repeat championship in Season 102 will require every player on his roster to step up.

“We are expecting a tough challenge. It’s hard to go back-to-back if you lose key players for different reasons,” Escueta said during the NCAA Season 102 press conference Monday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Yukien Andrada, Bryan Sajonia and Joe Celzo have exhausted their collegiate eligibility and are now playing in the Philippine Basketball Association, while Nygel Gonzalez is recovering from a torn anterior cruciate ligament injury.

Season 101 Rookie of the Year Janti Miller is also no longer with the Lions after transferring to De La Salle University, where he is currently serving a one-year residency.

That leaves San Beda leaning heavily on its holdovers and newcomers as it tries to become the first team since 2017 to win consecutive NCAA men’s basketball titles.

“Together with our holdovers and new players, hopefully, they can step up and fill the void due to the loss of our key players from last season,” Escueta said.

“Of course, our goal is still the same, to win the championship again.”

The Lions last won back-to-back crowns in 2017, when they defeated Lyceum of the Philippines behind Donald Tankoua, AC Soberano, Javee Mocon and Robert Bolick.