THE SAN BEDA Red Lions seized control against the Lyceum of the Philippines University (LPU) Pirates in an 83-74 victory, giving the defending champions their first victory in their second game of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Season 102 seniors’ basketball tournament at Playtime FilOil Centre last September 24.
The Red Lions entered the game determined to secure their first win of the season, following a surprise upset by the College of Saint Benilde (CSB) Blazers at the season opening and the postponement of their matchup against the Jose Rizal University (JRU) Heavy Bombers.
Breaking away early, the Red Lions started with strong momentum, knocking down their shots beyond the arc, complementing it with their suffocating defense which dismantled the Pirates’ offense at the beginning of the quarter, going on an 8-0 run.
Coming in for his final season of NCAA basketball, Jomel Puno returned for his first game of this season, bringing his hustle game, playmaking, and scoring ability as he drills a three pointer late in the opening frame. The Red Lions were in control in the first quarter, 33-18.
The Mendiola-based squad continued to control the game, however, the Pirates responded by raising their pace and intensity, countering the Red Lions’ every move and cutting the deficit to seven points as the first half ended, 45-38.
But every Pirates push was met with a Red Lions resilience, as the latter stretched their lead to as many as 17 points in the third quarter before the Pirates trimmed the deficit to nine by the end of the period, 65-56.
The Pirates made one last attempt to close the distance in the fourth, but the Red Lions held firm, matching their opponents’ scoring to keep the gap intact until the final buzzer and secure an 83-74 victory for their first win of the season.
Red Lions guard Daniel Marcelo, brought that edge off the bench, leading San Beda with 16 points despite making just four out of 16 field-goal attempts. The victory served as a response to the Red Lions’ opening-day setback against the Benilde Blazers, with Marcelo admitting that their defeat didn’t go how they wanted it.
Marcelo’s early shooting struggles did little to shake Red Lions head coach Yuri Escueta’s confidence. After two straight misses, Coach Yuri continued to give Marcelo the green light to shoot beyond the arc, saying, “I never tell my shooters to stop shooting as long as they are good shots.”
Jimmy Reyes added 15 points, and Lawrence Hawkins posted a double-double with 13 points and 12 rebounds, and Jomel Puno contributed with 11 points.
The Red Lions’ physicality helped keep the Pirates at bay, with the Mendiola-based squad attacking inside and creating extra possessions through 15 offensive rebounds. “Every time you play in teams like LPU, because of their aggressive defense, you have to be able to be strong with the ball,” Coach Yuri said.
For Coach Yuri, however, the victory exposed an area that the Red Lions still need to sharpen. With San Beda ahead, its ball movement began to falter as players looked for their own shots and only finished with 14 assists, as Coach Yuri noted, “when we were up, suddenly, everyone was trying to look for their shots,” reminding his players that they should remain composed even under winning conditions.
The Red Lions have now evened their record at 1-1, with little time to savor the breakthrough as they return to action Saturday before playing again Monday, putting them through three games in five days after their matchup against the Heavy Bombers.
Quarter Scores: 33-18, 45-38, 65-56, 83-74
San Beda 83 – Marcelo 16, Reyes 15, Hawkins 13, Puno 11, Calimag 9, Torculas 8, Etulle 6, Bonzalida 2
Lyceum 74 – Rubico 15, Guadana 14, Villegas 12, Almario 6, Daileg 5, Aurigue 5, Aviles 4, Nocum 4, Manuel 3