Defending NCAA Seniors Basketball Champions San Beda University Red Lions showed no mercy against the Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers, 77-40, Tuesday afternoon at the Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan City.
“It will be tough in the second round. Everyone is right at our backs but if we want to get back at LPU, we have to play great defense like the way we did today. I’m sure the boys know that,” said decorated Red Lions head coach Boyet Fernandez
With the win, the Red Lions end their first round campaign with an 8-1 card. JRU, on the other hand, will enter the second round with a 2-7 slate.
“I’m really happy with the way the boys played well today. They really prepared hard for this to finish the round with a win,” added Fernandez. “We did a good job limiting JRU to just 40 points and 15 points in the second half. We just have to sustain that.”
The Heavy Bombers are coming off a 57-55 win over the EAC Generals last August 17, 2018. But they were quickly taken down by the Red Lions, as Javee Mocon and Eugene Toba pounced on their opponents.
San Beda’s best quarter came in the third canto, limiting JRU to just five points. The Red Lions led by as much as 40 points in the final frame.
“Everybody played well even though other guys didn’t score, everyone had a chance to play,” beamed Fernandez.
JRU shot a season-low 19.72 percent from the field compared to the superior 47 percent for San Beda.
All but two Red Lions scored in the game, with Calvin Oftana leading the way with 16 points on an excellent 7-for-8 shooting. AC Soberano added 11 markers.
Robert Bolick, who dropped 50 points last Friday against the Arellano Chiefs, finished with just four points in 17 minutes of action.
On the other hand, no Heavy Bomber scored in double-figures.
The Scores:
SBU 77 — Oftana 16, Soberano 11, Mocon 9, Eugene 7, Carino 6, Tankoua 5, Abuda 4, Bolick 4, Cabanag 4, Nelle 4, Canlas 3, Cuntapay 2, Tongco 2, Doliguez 0, Presbitero 0.
JRU 40 — Bordon 9, Mendoza 7, Doromal 5, Esguerra 5, Silvarez 4, Mallari 3, Miranda 3, Dela Virgen 2, Padua 2, Aguilar 0, David 0, Dela Rosa 0, Ramos 0, Santos 0.
Quarterscores: 20-12, 40-25, 56-30, 77-40.
