Former Holy Cross of Davao College hot shots John Paul Escobal definitely would play a vital role in San Beda Red Lions' quest for the championship crown in the upcoming 82nd National Collegiate Athletic Association men's basketball tournament.

Escobal, heeded as San Beda's top recruit last year, will try to help the Red Lions end its 27- year title drought.

The shooting guard turn quaterback Escobal has already showed his worth of making a champion team when he led San Beda to its first title in more than 7 years, winning the Division II Title of the Fr. Martin Cup late last year.

He won the coveted Most Valuable Player award and the Gillete 6th Man honors in the tournament after leading the Lions with 32 points during the finals.

San Beda Red Lions site disclosed that, "the triumph of the Red Lions only proved that SBC has the finest recruits in the land today".

" The primary reason why I decided to go for San Beda that to other UAAP and NCAA teams is because I'm very welcome there and I have a sense of belongingness with them, the coaching staff and players " , the six foot one Escobal said before he went to Manila.

San Beda is looking forward to win its first ever championship title in the 2006 season.

" I think my future basketball careers is with San Beda", Escobal, who led Holy Cross to a runner-up finished in the 2004 Asian Finals of the Adidas Streetbal in Seoul, South Korea, said.

He also gave Holy Cross several championship, including the Gaisano South Cup in 2004.

Escobal, who is looked upon by his teammates as a leader and as a role model, is currently pursuing a degree in Marketing and Corporate Communications in his sophomore year.

Winning the Gillette 6th Man honors, Escobal now joins the ranks of the original Gillette Vector First Five comprised of star Philippines Basketball Association (PBA) cagers Rich Alvarez, Paul Artadi, Wesley Gonzales, Enrico Villanueva, and James Yap as Gillette Vector endorses.l