In a showcase of their wealth, the San Beda College Red Lions lambasted the University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers to bounce back from their disappointing overtime win against the Perpetual Altas, Sunday afternoon at the Filoil Flying V Centre.
“I’m happy that we bounced back from that bad game against Perps,” San Beda head coach Boyet Fernandez said. “That’s what I told the boys after the game, that that was really a bad game.”
In a game that was never in doubt, San Beda fielded in all 18 of its players with each player chipping in at least two points. Javee Mocon was the Red Lions’ high point man with nine points while foreign student-athletes Arnaud Noah and Eugene Toba finished with eight points and five rebounds and five points and nine rebounds, respectively.
“It’s a character test for us today. They started really strong, the starters dictated the tempo and everybody went along with the starters,” Fernandez furthered as San Beda already held an imposing 24-10 lead after the opening frame.
Controversy though arose with 4:02 left in the third quarter and San Beda holding a 55-30 lead. The game was stopped for at least five minutes as UST questioned whether guard Kenneth Mocon should be eligible to play in the tournament.
“Nakalimutan atang i-update sa lineup [ng table officials],” Fernandez shared. “Dun sa line-up nila, Kenneth Alas is still in the line-up but he’s injured, hindi nila na-update.”
After much deliberation, the junior guard was fielded in, finishing the game with two points and two assists in nine minutes of action.
“At least nakalaro na rin si Kenneth. This is his chance to show what he can do sa Filoil,” the two-time NCAA champion coach furthered.
A Marcus Ejercito bucket with 1:03 left gave San Beda it’s biggest lead of the game 83-55.
The Red Lions shot 46 percent from the field compared to just 32 percent for the 1-6 UST squad. Moreover, great ball movement by San Beda led to them assisting on 24 of their 34 convertions.
Jeepy Faundo led UST with 14 points and seven rebounds while Jordan Sta. Ana addede 11 markers. Steve Akomo finished the game with nine points on 3-for-13 shooting, to go along with nine rebounds and two blocks.
San Beda will have a week-long break before heading into rivalry Sunday, facing the Letran Knights at 3:15pm. UST, on the other hand, will finish their Premier Cup campaign on Monday, June 12, facing the Lyceum Pirates.
The Scores:
SBC (86) – Mocon J 9, Noah 8, Bolick 7, Adamos 7, Doliguez 6, Ejercito 6, Carino 6, Toba 5, Potts 5, Abuda 5, Tongco 5, Oftana 3, Bahio 3, Carlos 3, Presbitero 2, Mocon K 2, Cabanag 2, Soberano 2.
UST (59) – Faundo 14, Sta. Ana 11, Akomo 9, Escalambre 8, Lee 6, De Guzman 5, Caunan 2, Lorenzana 2, Afoakwah 2, Soriano 0, Romero 0, Garrido 0.
Quarterscores: 24-10, 44-21, 58-40, 86-59.
