The San Beda College Red Lions showed no signs of fatigue as the Mendiola squad won their second game in two days, in a wire-to-wire win over the stumbling Lyceum of the Philippines University Pirates, 72-84, to close out Friday action in the 2016 Filoil Flying V Preseason Premier Cup in San Juan City.
AC Soberano again led the Red Lions, knocking down six of his seven three-point attempts to score 18 points. Donald Tankoua added 14 markers and nine boards, while JV Mocon added nine points, four rebounds, four assists, and two steals.
“We played consistent today. We were being consistent in being inconsistent tonight,” San Beda head coach Jamike Jarin said. “You have to give credit to Coach Topex Robinson and Lyceum, they kept on coming back.”
Soberano went a perfect 4-for-4 from downtown in just four minutes of game time in the opening half to give San Beda a 45-32 lead. Moreover, the Red Lions displayed great ball movement by assisting on 15 of their 17 field goals in the first half.
“Played hard lang at focus lang talaga sa defense. Darating naman kasi yung offense pag maganda yung defense,” said Soberano, who is now 11 for 15 from distance in the tournament.
The San Beda lead went to as high as 25 points in the closing minutes of the third frame. However, the Red Lions defense relaxed midway through the final frame. Lyceum were able to take advantage of this by forcing San Beda into turnovers that led to a 9-0 rally. A basket by Mer Ayaay sparked the rally followed by four straight points by the returning Dexter Zamora, while three-point play by Adrian Alban with 4:24 remaining cut the lead to just single digits, 75-66. However, a backbreaking triple by Mocon and turnovers ended the comeback hopes of Lyceum.
“We were able to find our shots,” the second-year Red Lion mentor said. “There was a point in the game that we were making our shots and it was enough to win us the game. Learning experience.”
Wilson Baltazar scored 19 markers to lead Lyceum. Ayaay added 15, while Zamora scored ten in the loss.
Jamike Jarin and the Red Lions (B, 2-0) face a familiar foe tomorrow, May 21 as they face Aldin Ayo and the Green Archers (B, 3-0) at 5:00pm. It doesn’t get easier for the Lyceum Pirates (B, 1-4) though as they face the Ateneo Blue Eagles on Friday, May 27 at 5:00pm.
The Scores:
SBC (84) – Soberano 18, Tankoua 14, Mocon 9, Bolick 8, Sara 8, Presbitero 7, Tongco 5, Noah 5, Potts 3, Cabanag 3, Adamos 2, Bahio 2, Carlos 0, Oftana 0, Decapia 0, Bonsubre 0.
LPU (72) – Baltazar 19, Ayaay 15, Zamora 10, Alban 9, Bulawan 4, Soliman 4, Nzeusseu 4, Gabayni 3, Marata 2, Malabanan 2, Caduyac 0.
Quarterscores: 15-12, 45-32, 73-52, 84-72.
