The San Beda College Red Lions finished the elimination round of the 2017 Premier Cup with a perfect 8-0 record as they kicked out the Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles, 80-67, Friday evening at the Filoil Flying V Centre.
Bolick led San Beda with 27 points, five rebounds, and four assists. Javee Mocon and AC Soberano added nine markers each, with Mocon grabbing 12 rebounds as well.
The Red Lions dictated the pace of the game with a 19-point lead at the first half, 44-25. They continued their rampage against the Blue Eagles, reaching the biggest lead of 22 in the third quarter, 53-31.
However, Ateneo were able to cut down their lead to just seven points with three and a half minutes left via Anton Asistio and Thirdy Ravena’s triples.
Coach Boyet Fernandez shared, “Nung second half lang, they got scores in the three points kanina. Medyo nawala kami sa sistema namin nung third at fourth, but at least nag-step up ang offense kaya na-contain namin ang rally ng Ateneo.”
Robert Bolick did not let Ateneo come any closer with his defensive stops and his reliable layups. The Red Lions finished the game and crushed Ateneo’s playoff hopes at 80-67.
Former Ateneo players Clint Doliguez and Kemark Carino also saw action today, finishing with seven and six points respectively.
“We had Clint Doliguez playing defense against [Thirdy] Ravena, whom he played with before sa Ateneo so medyo nag match-up din,” the returning San Beda mentor remarked. “Then we started also with Kemark Carino which is formerly from Ateneo din so he knows how his teammates play before. Medyo that’s an advantage for us so ginawa ko na lang kung anong dapat gawin para mabigyan ko ng pagkakataon maglaro ang mga players.”
Ateneo’s Raffy Verano finished with 12 points, while Anton Asistio chipped in nine. This game was Ateneo’s fourth game in six days. Unfortunately, it was also their last for the tournament.
San Beda will carry a confidence-boosting record of 8-0 to the quarterfinals as they meet the University of the Philippines Maroons on Wednesday.
“We know that UP is a very strong team with [Paul] Desiderio coming back. Hopefully we can really prepare for UP next week,” Coach Fernandez closed. – By: Danine Cruz
The Scores:
SBC (82) – Bolick 27, Mocon 9, Soberano 9, Doliquez 7, Bahio 7, Eugene 6, Carino 6, Cabanag 5, Presbitero 2, Potts 2, Adamos 2, Tongco 0, Abuda 0, Noah 0, Ejercito 0.
ADMU (67) – Verano 12, Asistio 9, Black 7, Go 5, Tio 5, Ravena 5, Ikeh 5, Nieto 5, Tolentino 5, Mendoza 4, Porter 3, White 2, Andrade 0, Mallillin 0.
Quarterscores: 21-10, 44-25, 63-48, 82-67.
