In a battle of two blue-blood squads, it was the Red and White who came out on top.
Reigning NCAA champions San Beda College Red Lions outlasted UAAP champions De La Salle University Green Archers, 82-80, to take their third straight win in Group A of the 2017 FilOil Flying V Preseason Premier Cup, Sunday evening at the Filoil Flying V Centre.
The Red Lions remained on top of Group A with a 3-0 slate, while the defending Premier Cup champions fell to fourth with a 3-2 slate.
Former La Salle guard Robert Bolick led the charge for his new team with 27 points, nine rebounds, and six steals. Three other Bedans produced 11 markers.
“We just caught a big fish tonight,” San Beda head coach Boyet Fernandez exclaimed after the game. “I have high respect for La Salle. Coach Ayo did well to make that team strong.”
The Green-side momentarily took the lead early in the second half with nine points, 42-33, but San Beda leaned on their execution on both sides of the floor to regain the lead.
Ben Adamos put the Red Lions back on top with 5-0 spurt, which the team used to gain momentum.
In the fourth quarter, Jayvee Mocon restored the white-shirts’ biggest lead at 73-64 with 3:45 left in the game. It was then that Aljun Melecio sent La Salle to within four, 73-77, to force Fernandez to call for time.
Melecio once more drilled a trey to cut the deficit further at three, but Mocon responded with a three of his own and San Beda took a more comfortable lead at 82-76.
Melecio missed on his attempt to send La Salle to the win, and Ricci Rivero buffed his own shot, as the NCAA champions walked away with the win.
Nonetheless, Fernandez noted their turnovers and the fastbreak points they allowed the Green Archers. La Salle registered 18 points off the 16 errors of San Beda.
“If we just limited their turnovers and turnover points allowed to La Salle, hindi ganito yung mangyayari,” the returning mentor commented.
However, the NCAA titlists torched their opponents with a huge 52 percent shooting from the field to more than make up for these mistakes.
Reigning MVP Ben Mbala finished with 20 points and eight rebounds. Melecio ended with 19 markers and four assists.
San Beda will stake their record against the University of Perpetual Help System-DALTA (2-3) on Friday, June 2 at 5:00pm. La Salle will look to revive their winning form as they take the University of the East (2-4) on Sunday, June 4 at 5:00pm.
The Scores:
SBC (82) – Bolick 27, Potts 11, Mocon 11, Adamos 11, Soberano 8, Noah 4, Toba 4, Presbitero 2, Tongco 2, Bahio 2, Carino 0, Doliguez 0, Oftana 0, Abuda 0.
DLSU (80) – Mbala 20, Melecio 19, Rivero 15, Baltazar 9, Santillan 7, Caracut 6, Go 3, Tratter 1, Gonzales 0, Capacio 0.
Quarterscores: 22-18, 33-33, 53-48, 82-80.
