The San Beda College Red Lions played its first game without double-double machine Donald Tankoua Tuesday afternoon against the San Sebastian Golden Stags. However, it was a game to forget for the Mendiola cagers, blowing a once 14-point lead in the final frame before a pull-up jumper by Allyn Bulanadi crushed the Red Lions.
Robert Bolick, who played 26 minutes in the game, believes that they multiple opportunities to seal the game in their favor but he, together with the Red Lions, failed to seal the game.
“Breaks of the game. We relaxed. But I don’t blame our coaches, we blame ourselves because we’re the ones who are playing,” he said. “We had the game plan ready but we didn’t execute. We didn’t defend well so the blame is on us, especially on me.”
“That’s part of life, I guess.”
The Red Lions were able to gain a three-point cushion with 23.7 ticks remaining after the former Green Archer was able to steal an inbound pass that led to a breakaway lay-up for fellow rookie Davon Potts. Javee Mocon then fouled Bulanadi that resulted to free throws to cut the lead to just a solitary point with 11.1 seconds remaining.
Then disaster struck San Beda.
King Lion Dan Sara missed two crucial free throws that led to a pull-up jumper for Bulanadi. With 3.8 seconds remaining on the clock and no timeouts remaining, Bolick tried with all his might to cross to at least cross halfcourt but fumbled the ball that resulted to San Beda’s second loss.
“Wala akong masabi kasi I thought tapos na nga yung laban nung na-steal ko yung bola. Missed free throws, we didn’t defend well,” he rued. “Doon namin nami-miss si Donald pero wala kaming magagawa.”
In the first game Tankoua was out for San Beda, the Red Lions lost the rebounding battle against the All-Filipino Stags, 49 to 48 that led to a 9 to 4 second chance points edge for San Sebastian.
“Donald’s the best [foreign student-athlete] for me because he only plays 20, 21 minutes but scores 20 a game unlike other [FSA’s] who play 36 minutes,” he shared about his fallen teammate.
“Yun na nga kanina we were looking to score but wala kaming makita sa ilalim. We’re just adjusting. Maraming wala.”
Moreover, Bolick shared that his team lacked the sense of urgency in their practice even if they knew that their anchor won’t be with them for the rest of the season.
“I’m pretty sure I’ll be ready for tomorrow’s practice. I’ll be yelling at my teammates kasi too much relax na eh. Even on my part, actually, nagre-relax din ako,” he shared. “Maybe it’s really a wake up call and tomorrow it’s going to be a really competitive practice.”
“I’m gonna hit them, I’m gonna scold them, I’m gonna do everything to try and wake them up. We have no import but we still can win.”
Bolick and the Red Lions need to refocus and rebuild themselves. However, time is not of the essence as rivals Letran Knights are waiting for them on Friday, August 26 at 4:00pm.
