RECOVERING FROM A nightmare loss against the Emilio Aguinaldo College (EAC) Generals, a resurgent San Beda Red Lions squad demolished the Jose Rizal University (JRU) Heavy Bombers, 77-60, in Round 1 of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Season 100 seniors’ basketball tournament last September 21 at the FilOil EcoOil Center.
Yukien Andrada propelled the Lions to their third victory of the season with his second double-double performance of 16 points, 10 rebounds, and three assists. On the other hand, Bryan Sajonia tallied 14 points while James Payosing and Jomel Puno chipped in 13 points each.
Getting a headstart proved strenuous at the beginning of the first quarter with the Bombers getting ahead of the Lions by four points until Sajonia notched the team’s first two points with an easy layup, 2-4.
Both teams met in a constant battle to break the deadlock by the end of the quarter, with the Red Lions ending the first with a measly two-point lead, 16-14.
In the second quarter, Sajonia once more delivered the team’s first two points, while an aggressive Puno served six points with three buckets.
Further into the game, the Red Lions easily charged ahead by 24 points, ending the quarter at 46-22. The Bombers were no match for the Red Lion’s offensive charge led by Sajonia, Zachary Estacio, Emman Tagle, Payosing, and Andrada who seamlessly coordinated until the end of the round.
Despite the Heavy Bombers cutting the deficit down to 10 midway through the third quarter, the Mendiola-based squad maintained composure, extending the lead to 18 points from back-to-back treys courtesy of Andrada and Emman Tagle to end the third at 63-45.
While the Heavy Bombers outscored the Red Lions in the fourth quarter by 14-15, this was not enough to overcome their early deficit. In the end, the Lions came out on top with a 77-60 thrashing at the end of regulation.
In a post-game interview with The Bedan, Andrada shared that “working on their pace, implementing defensive presence in the paint, and pressure from the guards” were the key factors in their win.
“Hard training kami for three days with Coach Yuri, we have to give our energy and efforts sa trainings namin, so we focused on that. We did lots of running, conditioning, and which showed naman today sa game namin,” he explained.
Head Coach Yuri Escueta also shared that the team did not only focus on basketball but also on themselves. “Aside do’n sa basketball side, we also addressed things that we can improve on, ‘yung sa aming selves. ‘Yung reflection namin is about our attitude and how we approach games, mentally and physically how we prepare games, and then ‘yung basketball, ‘yung system inside.”
With an improved standing of 3-2, the Red Lions continue their campaign in the 1st round of the NCAA against the Arellano Chiefs (AU) on Saturday, September 28, 11:00 a.m., at the same venue.
Quarter Scores: 16-14, 46-22, 63-45, 77-60
San Beda 77 – Andrada 16, Sajonia 14, Payosing 13, Puno 13, Tagle 9, Estacio 5, Songcuya 2, Celzo 2
Jose Rizal 60 – Argente 27, Raymundo 8, Mosqueda 7, Gulab 6, Sarmiento 4, Lozano 4, Medina 2, Barrera 2
(with Denver Provido)