The widely-anticipated rivalry match between the Colegio de San Juan de Letran and the San Beda College did not disappoint, as the match was nip-and-tuck all throughout the 40 minutes. Both teams were exchanging baskets and leads up to the last few minutes.
But in the end, the efforts of first-year Red Lions Franz Abuda and Clint Doliguez proved to be the difference, grabbing crucial offensive boards that translated to baskets setting San Beda apart by five points, 68-63, with a little more than two minutes left to play.
By then, the momentum was definitely on the side of San Beda, as they took a 73-68 win to sweep their season series against their arch-rivals.
With Abuda and Doliguez’s solid contributions, they were quick to repay the trust given to them by Coach Boyet Fernandez.
“Our glue guys really played good defense. They have the same size with [Bong] Quinto. Javee [Mocon] was not in his game today that’s why I gave them a shot,” shared Fernandez.
“Clint [Doliguez] and Franz [Abuda] made me look good today.”
Despite their hustle plays that gave San Beda a much-needed lift to stave off Letran, both players clarified that they just wanted to stick to their defensive roles and make the most of the minutes given to them.
“Siguro suwerte lang ako dun, hustle lang talaga kasi yung sinasabi sa akin ni coach [Boyet]. Sa akin focus lang sa pinapagawa ni coach [Boyet] kasi yun yung playing time na nakukuha ko sa kanya. Yung tiwala lang niya sa depensa sa akin,” said Abuda, who tallied six points and three rebounds in 15 minutes of action.
“Siyempre ginawa ko lang yung ine-expect sa amin ni Coach [Boyet] sa akin at sa amin ni Abuda sa depensa. ‘Pag naka-shoot ako, since di naman kami pinipigilan ni coach tumira, bonus na yung points pero sa akin ang role ko sa team eh mag-stop ng ibang players,” pointed out Doliguez, who chipped in five points and seven rebounds in 18 minutes of game time.
Doliguez also credited the large Bedan crowd that trooped to the Filoil Flying V Centre to support them.
“First time ko ata na nanood yung ibang taga Beda. Nakita niyo, ang daming tao! Ang daming Bedista! Nagulat ako kaya syempre gaganahan ka talaga lalo,” beamed the 22-year-old Iloilo-native.
Despite having defeated their rivals Letran twice this season, San Beda have loftier goals to achieve in their next game. And that is to get back on league leaders Lyceum of the Philippines University – the only team that brought them to the losing column.
“Actually, ang pinaghahandaan namin talaga yung LPU,” asserted Abuda, who is the son of defensive specialist Freddie.
“Ever since nung natalo kami sa LPU nung first round, next target na namin is yung matalo ang LPU [sa second round],” Doliguez added.
“Kaya kailangan namin makuha yung panalo kanina kasi yung rhythm at least paakyat at positive para tuloy tuloy hanggang sa LPU.”
