THE San Beda Red Lions outhustled, outrebounded and limited the Letran Knights to five points in the third quarter and went on to move closer to the 101st National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) men’s basketball crown on Wednesday.
The Lions’ intensity and dominant game at the start of the second half pushed them to an 89-70 smothering of the Knights in Game 1 of their best-of-three finals series at the Araneta Coliseum.
“We just had to stay composed and be smarter, and if they’re hitting you, just play better basketball,” said Red Lions’ coach Yuri Escueta, on the physicality of their encounter with Letran and their big third-quarter run.
Led by John Bryan Sajonia, the Lions now hold the momentum going into Game 2 on Saturday.
Sajonia fired 17 points for the Red Lions, hitting 10 points in the first period as they took charge right away, 29-19.
Fil-American guard Agjanti Miller added 16 points and nine boards, before he left on his second technical foul in the last 6:16, following a rebound scuffle with Letran’s Deo Cuajao, with San Beda ahead by 17, 75-58, in the fourth
Nygel Gonzales, considered one of the league’s best point guards this season, struck with 14 points, delivering eight in San Beda’s great first period start.
After the Knights stayed close at halftime, 46-43, San Beda came out strong with their perimeter shooting, behind triples from Miller, Anfernee Estacio and Jomel Puno.
Their timely treys saw San Beda taking a 64-47 spread with 1:49 to go in the third.
Miller’s added presence under the boards helped Bismarck Lina control the shaded lanes and allowed the Red Lions to protect the paint with 50 boards, against the Knights’ 40.
“Sabi ko sa kanila. Hindi tayo puwedeng mag-turnover. Kasi ‘yung mga baskets namin sa second quarter, puro sa turnover,” added Escueta, on how the team responded to Letran’s defense.
The Knights drew 17 points from Jonathan Manalili, who was held scoreless in the third.
Another key shooter Jimboy Estrada, eked out 14, but scored none of his four attempts in the opening minutes of the second half.
In junior action, the Letran Squires repulsed the Arellano Braves, 85-79, with Nathan Egea topscoring for 19 points.
The Mapua Red Robins pulled through with an 84-70 win over the Emilio Aguinaldo College Brigadiers in the battle for third, with Froilan Reyes leading with 18 points.
