THE defending champion San Beda Red Lions are looking forward to another showdown with the unbeaten Lyceum Pirates.
Coach Boyet Fernandez said this after the Red Lions demolished the Arellano University Chiefs, 95-70, yesterday at the end of their first-round encounter in the 93rd National Collegiate Athletic Association men’s basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan.
“We’re looking forward to winning more games and be ready for LPU. We know we’ll be playing LPU in our last schedule. I just hope the boys will step up in their coming games,” said Fernandez.
Robert Bolick Jr. finished with 23 points, including five triples that helped carry the Red Lions to their eighth triumph in nine outings.
This put them a game behind the Pirates, and three wins in front of the Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers (6-3). It also boosted its bid for the Top 2 Final Four seats.
The Red Lions silenced scoring ace Kent Salado midway in the third as they went on to overtake the Chiefs with a decisive 15-0 blast in the last 2:30.
Triples from Bolick and Ranbill Tongco helped provide the Red Lions a pivotal 70-52 spread at the end of the period.
Meanwhile, the Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers overcame difficult moments with the Mapua Cardinals to post a 68-59 triumph.
Aaron Bordon fired 17 points, while Jed Mendoza added 12 for the Heavy Bombers, who finished the first round with their sixth win in nine games.
They led comfortably, 44-36, in the third quarter before the Cardinals came running back to threaten, 42-46.
But three turnovers in the final period allowed the Heavy Bombers to move back up, 53-42, off Bordon’s layup.
“A win is a win. I’m not happy about it. They thought they can easily beat Mapua,” said JRU coach Vergel Meneses.
Earlier, the JRU Light Bombers stunned the Mapua Red Robins, 94-82, with Toby Agustin leading the way with 26 points and 16 rebounds.
Seldom-used Marwin Dionisio had 15 points and 11 boards as he joined hands with Ronnie Camua for 17 points to power JRU to a 48-37 halftime lead.
The Light Bombers, who improved to 2-7, held big man Warren Bonifacio to only 12 points and 19 rebounds. Will Gozum made only eight markers and eight boards for the Red Robins.
This put the Red Robins (7-2) in a share of the lead with La Salle Greenhills.
The scores:
First Game
Jose Rizal 68—Bordon 17, Mendoza 12, Grospe 11, dela Virgen 11, Teodoro 7, Abdul Razak 5, Poutouochi 3, Mate 2, Sawat 0, David 0
Mapua 59—Bunag 15, Victoria 12, Gabo 8, Aquirre 8, Pelayo 6, Nieles 4, Raflores 4, Jimenez 2
Quarterscores: 19-16, 38-34; 49-42; 68-59
Second Game
San Beda 95—Bolick 23, Mocon 19, Tankoua 15, Potts 6, Soberano 6, Noah 6, Tongco 5, Bahio 5, Cabanag 4, Doliguez 3, Carino 3, Abuda 0, Oftana 0, Adamos 0
Arellano 70—Salado 26, Flores 10, Concepcion 10, Enriquez 6, Canete 3, Ongolo 3, Meca 3, dela Cruz 2, Nicholls 2, Viloria 2, Alcoriza 2, Padilla 0, Filart 0
Quarterscores: 23-18; 48-30; 70-52; 95-70