The San Beda College Red Lions have formally ousted one of their fiercest playoff rivals in five years, stifling the University of Perpetual Help System DALTA Altas, 55-50, Tuesday afternoon at the Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan City.
The win extends San Beda’s rampage to 14 straight games, lifting their card to 14-1. Perpetual not only dropped out of contention with a 4-10 record, but also shattered the MVP hopes of Prince Eze.
Though racking up another win, San Beda head coach Boyet Fernandez was alarmed with how their offense have been stagnating in their last two outings.
“We’re happy we got this win but we got to go back and think about our priorities. We only had 11 assists, that’s too low for a San Beda basketball team. Our defense stepped up but our offense is questionable,” lamented Fernandez.
Ace guard Robert Bolick led San Beda with 15 points, but needed 18 attempts to do so. Moreover, the 5-foot-11 guard only dished out two assists in the contest.
“We have to go back and review everything. I give credit to my players but I will not take away this game also from Perpetual. They really played good, they are a good defensive team,” asserted Fernandez.
The Red Lions led by as much as 11 points, nine heading into the final frame, but the Altas were able to grind out the defending champions in the final frame.
Back-to-back baskets by Keith Pido cut the lead to just five with 4:28 left, but Donald Tankoua was able to answer right back to regain a nine point lead, 53-44, with 2:48 left.
GJ Ylagan and Flash Sadiwa conived for a 5-0 run, capped by a three-point play by the latter, to provide one last spark for Perpetual. However, Bolick was able to ice the game with free throws.
Tankoua added 14 points and nine rebounds, while Javee Mocon — though going just 2-for-11 from the field — was able to gobble down 14 rebounds.
But Bolick was called for a technical foul with 26.2 ticks remaining that drew frustration from the Red Lions. as he had not even been given a warning prior.
Pido finished with nine points together with AJ Coronel and Gab Dagangon. Prince Eze was limited to just eight points and 11 rebounds.
San Beda look to extend their streak on Friday, October 6, when they face the EAC Generals at 12:00nn. Perpetual, on the other hand, look to salvage the remains of their season when they take on the Mapua Cardinals on Thursday, October 7, at 4:00pm.
The Scores:
SBC 55 – Bolick 15, Tankoua 14, Soberano 9, Mocon 8, Cabanag 6, Noah 3, Abuda 0, Adamos 0, Bahio 0, Doliguez 0, Oftana 0, Presbitero 0, Tongco 0.
UPHSD 50 – Coronel 9, Dagangon 9, Pido 9, Eze 8, Ylagan 7, Sadiwa 3, Lucente 2, Yuhico 2, Mangalino 1, Singontiko 0, Tamayo 0.
Quarterscores: 11-11, 27-19, 43-34, 55-50.
