WOES CONTINUE TO plague the Mendiola-based squad as the San Beda Red Lions came short against the Mapúa Cardinals, 55-58, in Round 2 of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Season 100 seniors’ basketball tournament at the FilOil EcoOil Center last October 20.
Despite multiple opportunities to overtake Mapúa, San Beda failed to capitalize on their free-throw shooting, converting just 17 of 30 attempts from the charity stripe.
The first quarter saw a highly physical contest, as the Lions struggled to contain a barrage of three-pointers from the Cardinals to end the period with a four-point deficit, 12-16.
A 9-0 run that briefly gave the Lions a one-point lead, but they would lose traction at the five-minute mark, allowing the Cardinals to surge ahead and build a comfortable nine-point lead during the second quarter, 23-32.
However, the Red Lions suffered a major blow when big man Bismarck Lina was ejected from the game following a disqualifying foul against Marc Cuenco, leaving them without a key presence in the paint.
Regardless, the Lions slowly clawed back into the game, with Jomel Puno converting a difficult layup in the final third to cut the deficit to just six points, 40-46.
After a grueling battle in the last two quarters, the Lions finally caught up to the Cardinals at 49-49, courtesy of Bryan Sajonia’s drive through the paint. However, despite Sajonia’s contribution, the Cardinals pulled ahead in the final minute of the fourth quarter, extending their lead to 51-57.
The gritty Lions continued to fight in the remaining seconds of the final quarter. Menard Songcuya dove for a two-point shot in the last 10 seconds of the game, followed by Sajonia converting two free-throws with only six seconds remaining.
However, the Lions’ comeback efforts were in vain as they absorbed a devastating defeat against the Cardinals, 55-58. With this, the Red Lions maintain their position in third in the Round 2 table with eight wins and five losses.
“Mayroong part na dapat mag-learn ako sa nangyari ngayon. Dapat mas composed ako and magstay lang ako sa game palagi,” Lina stressed in a post-game interview following his ejection.
Moreover, Head Coach Yuri Escueta emphasized the need for the team to “perform in high-pressure situations,” saying “We have to be able to handle it, be more composed para we can also shoot free throws.”
The Red Lions will look to vent its ire on the San Sebastian Stags on Friday, October 25, 2:30 p.m., at the same venue.
Quarter Scores: 16-12, 23-32, 40-46, 55-58
San Beda 55 – Sajonia 12, Puno 11, Andrada 9, Estacio 6, Songcuya 6, Lina 6, Payosing 3, Tagle 2
Mapúa 58 – Hubilla 17, Cuenco 11, Escamis 7, Abdulla 5, Recto 4, Mangubat 4, Jabonete 4, Concepcion 3, Igliane 3
(with Samantha Calderon and Jasmine Casadores)