Former Batang Gilas guard Migs Pascual and several other new recruits of San Sebastian relished the opportunity of playing in the preseason tournaments where the Stags showed a lot of promise.
The Stags ruled the Universities and Colleges Basketball League when it edged St. Clare-Caloocan in the finals, 78-76.
But it wasn't just the UCBL tourney where the new-look Stags now coached by John Kallos displayed their potential.
San Sebastian also stamped its class in the BBI League Sulit Basketball a month ago.
But what's more exciting about the Stags is not just their present roster that is tipped to pull off surprises in the coming National Collegiate Athletic Association season, but also its future.
Kallos was able to provide opportunities to his players who are still underdoing residency, including Pascual, who will sit out in the coming season, yet was given the chance to flourish in the FilOil EcoOil Preseason tournament as well as the UCBL and BBI League.
In one game, Pascual even top scored for his team with 20 markers, but the Stags fell short against San Beda during their first meeting in the FilOil-EcoOil tournament. He also showed a lot of potential in the other preseason tournaments.
"What's good about these players was they've embraced the system," added Kallos. "But I also gave them the freedom to play so they can develop their confidence more, which was why some of the newcomers were able to play in preseason tournaments."
Aside from Pascual, who previously played for University of the East in the Universities Athletic Association of the Philippines last year, other newcomers that were included in San Sebastian's program were James Maliwat from University of Santo Tomas, Edward Zeller from Philippine Christian University, Delandre Singson, son of former UST star Dale Singson, Vincent Miaco of UST, Mark de Leon and CK Bacani from Pampanga.