The first game was understandable, the same with the second. But the third game was just plain embarrassing.
Reigning NCAA Seniors Basketball Champions San Beda University Red Lions further exposed the Gilas Pilipinas Cadets’ lack of leadership after demoting them to a 0-3 record, 91-70, Sunday evening.
In the wire-to-wire victory, the Red Lions bounced back from a heartbreaking loss last Friday against UAAP champions Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles, 68-69. They improve to a 2-1 record in Group A of the 2018 Filoil Flying V Preseason Cup, presented by Chooks-to-Go.
“We’re happy the way we played today. I did challenge them today that the character will be tested on how we will comeback from a one-point loss against Ateneo kasi we had a good chance of winning that game,” San Beda head coach Boyet Fernandez shared.
San Beda already had a commanding 45-30 lead as early as the second quarter. Since then, they kept Gilas at bay all game long.
By the final frame, the Red Lions had secured a very comfortable 31-point cushion, 78-47, after a Calvin Oftana layup with 6:28 left. After that, Gilas surged to a 11-0 run powered by Carl Tamayo and Ricci Rivero to cut the lead to 20. Rivero’s dunk with 4:01 left brought Gilas within 18.
Unfortunately, the Cadets needed a miracle of biblical proportions just to overcome the momentum of the Red Lions, as they kept shooting sweetly in the dying minutes of the match. In the end, the NCAA champions shut down Gilas.
Incoming first-year Red Lion James Canlas poured 16 points and two rebounds. Jeramer Cabanag added 15 markers with six boards.
NU Bullpup Carl Tamayo scored the most for Gilas with 13 points and six rebounds. Kobe Paras and J-Jay Alejandro added 11 markers each.
“At least maganda pahinga namin kasi [the players] will attend their classes for them to pass their exams. Kailangan ayusin nila grades nila, attend their classes, pass their final exams [for the NCAA],” Fernandez shared.
San Beda will have a month to prepare for their next foes, the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons, on June 1 at 6:30pm. Gilas, on the other hand, will continue to strive for their first win in the league on May 2, 6:30pm versus the Perpetual Altas.
The Scores:
SBU 91 – Canlas 16, Cabanag 15, Tankoua 13, Ja, Mocon 8, Soberano 8, Oftana 7, Carino 5, Tongco 5, Presbitero 4, Eugene 4, Abuda 2, Cuntapay 2, Ju. Mocon June 2, Bahio 0, Burri 0, Abadeza 0
Gilas 70 – Tamayo 13, Paras 11, Alejandro 11, R. Rivero 9, Tolentino 7, Ambohot 7, Tuffin 4, Gozum 4, Tratter 2, Desiderio 2, Gomez de Liano 0, P. Rivero 0, Tolentino 0
Quarterscores: 20-15, 45-30, 67-43, 91-70.
