During their 78-68 win over the Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers in the Final Four Tuesday, the San Beda Red Lions bench shattered what’s left of doubts surrounding head coach Jamike Jarin for fielding all of his players.
“Again, at the start of the season, people criticize me for playing too much players. No killer instinct si Coach Jamike, he doesn’t know what he is doing, he lets his players play, but I have done this since time immemorial,” Jarin said.
“I think now no one is going to criticize me. Biggest game so far, we have to win to make the finals, and guess what, the bench delivered.”
With the San Beda starters struggling and Jose Rizal taking a sizable margin until halfway of the third quarter, the second unit provided the crucial spark for the defending champions to turn the tides around.
“Before nagstart yung game, sabi lang ni coach, everyone in this team can lead this team. We are built na lahat may ability and kayang maglead. Pinakita ng second group na kaya namin pantayan ang intensity ng first group. Kung hindi sila makadeliver, andito kami sa likod,” Dan Sara, who scored 11 points and added 3 rebounds and 3 assists, said.
The San Beda bench scored 47 points and helped the team outscore the Heavy Bombers in the second half, 48-36. Pierre Tankoua had a double-double of 10 points and 10 boards, while AC Soberano added 10 points including two triples as part of a huge turnaround for San Beda.
“Kinausap ko yung second group na kapag pinasok tayo, ibigay natin yung energy para mabuhayan. Sobrang happy ako. Lahat kami eyes on the prize. Nakita mo naman nagi-improve yung mga rookies and sophomores. Lahat ready for the playoffs,” Sara added.
Jarin shared he stuck with his second group towards the end as he sensed the desire from the said unit to succeed. His gamble paid off as the Red Lions were able to hold off JRU.
“The starting unit was struggling. I was going to bring them back but I looked at the bench and the starters were cheering and happy with the second unit. They still have the energy and stamina to play and I kept with it and we won,” Jarin talked of the second half.
“You can see in their faces. I have been with these kids and by just looking at their body language you know if they will fight or they will let go or they are tired.”
