San Beda sweeps dual meet with San Sebastian

San Beda sweeps dual meet with San Sebastian

by rick olivares

It’s obvious how much San Beda has changed since their finals defeat to San Sebastian almost a year ago. They’ve gotten taller and deeper. And yesterday, the Red Lions showed that Season 85 is now a memory.

San Beda showed verve and guts as they upended erstwhile undefeated San Sebastian 88-76 for sole possession of first place. 

Sudan Daniel tallied 14 points, 19 rebounds and 3 blocks in a herculean effort that towed San Beda to an 8-0 slate. “Su (Daniel) had a monster game because he was embarrassed with what happened last year,” underscored San Beda coach Frankie Lim of the American cager’s output. “He was trying to prove a point. And we will not be intimidated."

As stellar as Daniel’s stats were, it was forward Jake Pascual who answered the Stags’ charge as led by the irrepressible Calvin Abueva who scored 18 points to go with 14 rebounds. Pascual hit two consecutive jumpshots in the middle of the fourth quarter that blunted the Stags’ momentum.

As for Abueva, his fouls and constant flopping actually caused problems for his side just as they were waxing hot on the rally trail. At one point, San Sebastian head coach Ato Agustin pulled him aside so that he could focus on the game rather than get caught up in the WWE antics he and his teammates employed on the Red Lions.

“We just played basketball,” added Lim who was brimming with satisfaction after the match. “We expected the worst from them but ibang klase naman yung talo na tapos mananakit pa sila.”

Graduating point guard Borgie Hermida typified San Beda’s game when he bounced back from a lackluster first half to score 13 in the final 20 minutes to go with six assists.”

“Naging individual yung game nila,” observed Agustin who opined that the loss might be the best thing to happen to his team. While Abueva had his numbers and made life difficult for the Red Lions, the other key component to the Stags’ game, point guard Pamboy Raymundo, was taken out by the Red Lions’ defense on him during the crucial run. “At least they know that hindi sila ganong kalakas and there are many things that they need to work on.”

Agustin also rued the absence of backup guard Eric Gatchalian who played a crucial role in stopping Hermida during last year’s finals. “At least si Mako (Ray Maconocido) played the way we expect him to,” said Agustin who took some positives from the game’s outcome. He also told his disconsolate team that their campaign didn’t end with the first round loss. “It’s possible na may championship hangover – the NCAA, PBL, tapos Fil Oil. Ngayon kailangan na talaga mag-focus sa leksyon na itinuro ng Red Lions.”

San Beda made it a twin kill for the day as the Red Cubs survived a furious endgame rally by the San Sebastian Staglets 84-80 to stay on top of the Juniors Division. Backup center Chris Javier, who was last year’s Most Improved Player, stepped in for the foul-plagued Alfonso Gotladera to topscore for the Red Cubs with 19 points aside from pulling down 9 rebounds and dishing off 2 assists.

Gino Jumao-as’ brilliance and the timely sniping of Vitorio Vergara reinvigorated the Staglets who appeared to falter in the late goings. But several stops on the defensive end gave them confidence to try and pull off the impossible.

The Red Cubs, the defending champions, are 7-1 while the Golden Staglets finished the first round at an even 4-4.

The second round resumes this Friday, August 20 when the Mapua Cardinals face Arellano University at 2pm while JRU tries to stay within striking distance of San Beda and San Sebastian when they face the Letran Knights at 4pm at the San Juan Arena.