THE San Beda Red Lions started badly but finished strong enough to prevail.
After allowing the College of St. Benilde Blazers to take charge in the first period, the Red Lions needed big scoring runs to pull off a 76-52 demolition yesterday at the Arena in San Juan.
Javee Mocon, Robert Bolick and AC Soberano took charge during two crucial stretches in the second canto to pull off their second win in three matches.
Mocon went on to finish with a game-high 12 points for the Red Lions, who stayed in second spot in the 93rd National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) men’s basketball tournament.
The Red Lions, who also drew nine points from Bolick and Soberano are ahead of the Letran Knights (1-1). Jerrick Balanza made the big plays in the fourth period as the Knights held off the Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals, 83-80.
With the Generals staying close, 62-66, Balanza scored all of his eight points in the last period.
This included a three-point play in the last 4:42 that allowed the Knights to keep the Generals at bay, 69-62.
Red Lions coach Boyet Fernandez said his team started flat in the first quarter.
“The guys are really excited to bounce back,” said Fernandez after the Red Lions finally got over their 73-78 upset loss to the Lyceum Pirates.
In the junior action, Joel Cagulangan banged in 13 of his 25-point tally in the fourth period to power La Salle Greenhills to an 82-78 upset of the San Beda Red Cubs.
Cagulangan’s charity in the last 36.2 seconds cushioned LSGH’s first win over the Red Cubs in six years.
Kiefer Cordero made 21 points for the Letran Squires as they held off the EAC Brigadier’s late rallies for an 85-81 triumph.
Balanza’s drive with 2:39 to go allowed Letran to stay out of reach, 74-65.
On the other hand, Knights coach Jeff Napa said the win was a wake up for the boys, saying that situations that took place when they lost to the Mapua Cardinals almost happened again.