The defending champion San Beda Red Lions welcomed back coach Boyet Fernandez and three suspended players with a 76-65 smashing of the San Sebastian Stags on Thursday at the Arena in San Juan.
The Red Lions, who took the lead early, went on to post their 11th win 12 matches in the 93rd National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) men’s basketball tournament.
This kept the Red Lions behind the unbeaten Lyceum Pirates.
Javee Mocon and Davon Potts showed the way with 17 and 16 points for the Red Lions, who took a 19-4 run in the first period to put the game in their favor.
Triples from Mocon, Potts and Jomari Presbitero helped the Red Lions overtake the Stags, who were ahead, 4-5, in the last 6:16.
When the run was done, the Red Lions never let go after taking comfortable, 19-9 spread in the last 2:46.
During that run, Stags big man Calisaan was thrown out after being called for a disqualifying foul with 3:33 left in the first half following a wayward elbow on Mocon’s face.
The referees later downgraded the infraction to an unsportsmanlike foul after reviewing the game tape.
“Today, its our defense. They stepped up today,” said Fernandez.
Two weeks ago, the league sanctioned Fernandez, Robert Bolick, and Clint Doliguez, along with College of St. Benilde’s Carlo Young for their misconduct in their game.
Back to back treys from Potts in the last 6:30 of the third enabled the Red Lions to enjoy a 52-41 lead.