Seven days ago, the San Beda University Red Lions whitewashed the Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers, 77-40. And it was the same in the second round.
The defending NCAA Seniors Basketball Champions blasted the Heavy Bombers anew, taking a 73-45 win, Tuesday afternoon at the Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan City.
“I’m happy that the JRU game is done with. Our problem now is we are playing four games in two weeks. Next week, we are playing two tough teams in Letran and Perpetual,” said San Beda’s decorated head coach Boyet Fernandez.
The Red Lions lifted their record to 9-1, while dropping the Heavy Bombers to 2-8.
“Well, Lyceum did a good start also. They should be consistent with the way they play,” added Fernandez. “We did good with our defensive schemes in the first quarter but JRU fought us hard in the second and the third. Our defense picked up once again in the fourth quarter.”
Limited to just 17 minutes and four points last Tuesday, Robert Bolick regained his form in this contest with 14 points, 12 rebounds, and five assists.
With Bolick leading the way, San Beda raced to an early 13-0 lead and never looked back.
During the second half, San Beda scored 41 points – four points shy of JRU’s total.
“I’m really happy that we were able to limit JRU to at least 45 points,” expressed Fernandez as his Red Lions only committed six fouls all throughout the contest.
All but two players from the San Beda-side scored in the contest, with Jeramer Cabanag chipping in nine points in eight minutes, while AC Soberano added eight markers. Donald Tankoua tallied nine rebounds and seven points as he played the most for San Beda with 20 minutes of game time.
“We really tried to manage the players’ playing time to prepare us to our next games,” disclosed Fernandez.
Jed Mendoza, who only scored seven points last week, was the sole double-digit scorer for the Heavy Bombers with 14 markers.
San Beda will next face the Mapua Cardinals on Friday, September 7. JRU, on the other hand, take on another powerhouse squad in the Lyceum Pirates on the same day.
The Scores:
SBU 73 — Bolick 14, Cabanag 9, Soberano 8, Tankoua 7, Carino 6, Eugene 6, Mocon 6, Doliguez 5, Cuntapay 4, Oftana 4, Abuda 2, Canlas 2, Presbitero 0, Tongco 0.
JRU 45 — Mendoza 13, Dela Virgen 8, Esguerra 5, Aguilar 4, Padua 4, Silvarez 4, Mallari 3, Bordon 2, Dela Rosa 2, Miranda 0, Santos 0.
Quarterscores: 15-4, 32-21, 49-37, 73-45.
