OPENING THEIR TITLE defense, the San Beda Red Lions fell to the College of Saint Benilde (CSB) Blazers in a surprise upset, 68-77, during the season opening of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Season 102 seniors’ basketball tournament, held at the Mall of Asia (MOA) Arena, last September 13.
Entering the game, the Red Lions carried strong momentum after winning the championship the previous season, backed by the support of Bedan students, faculty, and alumni who gathered to witness San Beda University (SBU) open NCAA Season 102 as the official host school.
The game was far from an ordinary matchup for the Red Lions, serving as the defending champions’ first test of how their revamped roster would fare once the final buzzer sounded.
Accelerating to the forefront, the Red Lions opened the clash with energy, dictating the pace early in the first quarter and offering a glimpse of the Mendiola-based squad’s current strength. New standout recruit Sean Torculas made his presence felt after a defensive stop forced a turnover, leading to a two-handed slam dunk on the other end.
The Blazers refused to back down, also with their newly formed squad showcasing its offseason improvements and challenging the Red Lions throughout the opening quarter. The Blazers kept the game close, ending the first quarter with the Red Lions holding a slim 17–15 lead.
The start of the second quarter demonstrated high intensity basketball, as both teams kept exchanging blows and kept taking the lead. Led by RC Calimag, the team captain of the Red Lions for NCAA Season 102, the team attacked the paint consistently, having the majority of its points scored under the rim.
The Blazers then answered in full force, taking counter measures against the aggression of the Red Lions, and taking the lead 39-40 at the end of halftime.
The Red Lions entered the second half with a profound intensity, aiming to win the season opener and continue the momentum from their championship run. The Blazers refused to waver and held on in the third quarter, giving answers to every offensive outburst the Mendiola-based squad had, with the relentless shooting from beyond the arc by the green challengers, ending the quarter, 55-57.
The Blazers held on with their lead in the last quarter, consistently dismantling the Red Lions’ offense and dominating the boards, as they went away with the winning upset against the defending champions, 68-77.
Torculas led the Red Lions with 19 points, shooting 7-of-13 from the field, while Calimag added nine points alongside one rebound and one assist. Jimuel Reyes and Daniel Marcelo contributed seven points apiece, while Bismarck Lina and Lawrence Hawkins each finished with five.
Following the loss, Calimag pointed to the team’s ongoing adjustment to its new additions ahead of the season.
“Siguro… We’re still adjusting. As we all know, there’s a lot of new guys coming in,” Calimag said.
Acknowledging that several key players graduated after last season, Calimag explains that it does not limit the strength of the Red Lions, putting emphasis on how the team is still in the process of understanding each other’s strengths, adding that “It’s just a bad day” for the Mendiola-based squad.
With a new season underway, Calimag stressed the importance of keeping the team focused on the work ahead.
“I told the boys na magtrabaho tayo. Wala, walang defending champions this 102,” he added.
With the Red Lions now down 0-1, the men in red look forward to the battles ahead and continue their pursuit for their first victory for this season, in a campaign for back-to-back championships.
Quarter Scores: 17-15, 22-25, 16-17, 13-20
San Beda 68 – Torculas 19, Calimag 9, Reyes 7, Marcelo 7, Lina 5, Hawkins 5, Bonzalida 4, Uggadan 4, Songcuya 4, Etulle 2, Jalbuena 2
Benilde 77 – Ancheta 19, Jucom 18, Galas 12, Celis 11, Morales 8, Torres 3, Arciaga 3, Cajucom 2, Sanchez 2