San Beda’s stern warning to not blink in the finals series proved to be true. But just like in their last four meetings, the result was still the same.
The San Beda College Red Lions ran past the Arellano University Chiefs in an 88-85 win to take Game One of the best-of-three finals series in the NCAA Season 92 Seniors Basketball tournament, Thursday evening at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Robert Bolick continued his spectacular post-season run with 24 points and 10 rebounds. Fellow transferee Benedict Adamos added 16 points on 8-of-12 shooting from the field to go along with seven rebounds.
But the one man who glued the Red Lions together in this game was King Lion Dan Sara.
“I have to commend all the 15 men playing or not playing for doing their job. I have to take my hats off to the captain Dan Sara,” second year San Beda head coach Jamike Jarin said about Sara, who had flirted with a triple-double with six points, 13 rebounds, and 11 assists. “This is what I was expecting of him. Now he’s coming into age.”
“Start of the season he was a young man trying to finish college. Now, he’s a matured man trying to conquer the world,” he added.
San Beda held a 13 point edge early in the second frame after a Joe Presbitero triple. The Chiefs, however, were able to overcome all of their struggles in the third frame.
Behind Jio Jalalon, who had been battling foul trouble in the first half, and Kent Salado, Arellano were able to rally back. Jalalon sparked an 11-4 Chiefs run, capped by a huge triple with 1:13 remaining in the canto to cut the lead to a solitary point, 70-69.
After a nip-and-tuck exchange in the final quarter, the Chiefs were finally able to breakthrough after a baseline reverse lay-up by Lervin Flores with 2:11 left to gain an 85-84 lead. The Chiefs though were not able to take advantage of the bevy of errors San Beda committed.
A miss by Flores with 1:16 left led to a fastbreak opportunity. Sara was able to throw a short outlet to Bolick for the game-turning layup.
Outside of his offensive production, Bolick was able to limit Jalalon, who had to fight through foul trouble and cramping in the game, to 21 points on 8-of-19 shooting and five turnovers.
“Look at him, he’s tired. Nobody can guard Jalalon but he was there every play,” Jarin said about Bolick’s defense on the Bus Driver. “He just needs to rest, give it another run at the bus driver.”
Jalalon was able to return to the game with two minutes to go after cramping up with 5:19 left in the game. However, Bolick was able to lock Jalalon down with 3.7 second left, forcing the Cagayan de Oro native to pass the ball to Dioncee Holts. The American student-athlete missed the jumper that could have won them the game, while free throws by Bolick sealed the win.
“You’d like to take the opener e. You always want to take the opening game,” a relieved Jarin said. However, he is not resting on his laurels just yet. “It’s a series. Coach Jerry and his boys will make adjustments, he’ll prepare,” he added.
“We’ll do the same. On Tuesday, it’s gonna be our hardest game.”
San Beda’s fast-paced style proved to be the difference in the game, as they scored 15 points on the break compared to just four for Arellano.
Kent Salado added 19 points on 6-of-11 shooting for Arellano to go along with four rebounds, and six assists. Donald Gumaru added 10 markers but needed 12 shot attempts to do so.
San Beda looks to close out their REDemption tour on Tuesday, October 11 at 4:00pm.
The Scores:
SBC (88) – Bolick 24, Adamos 16, Noah 14, Potts 11, Sara 6, Mocon 6, Presbitero 6, Soberano 3, Oftana 2, Tongco 0.
AU (85) – Jalalon 21, Salado 19, Gumaru 10, Holts 8, Meca 7, Nicholls 5, Villoria 5, Flores 4, Cadavis 4, Aguilar 2, Enriquez 0, Canete 0.
Quarterscores: 28-20, 54-49, 70-69, 88-86
