Coach Boyet Fernandez never expected a blowout. But the defending champion San Beda Red Lions went beyond his expectations and played their best game of the season yesterday in the 95th National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) men’s basketball tournament.
The Red Lions got balanced scoring from five mainstays as they crushed the University of Perpetual Help Altas, 102-56, yesterday at the FilOil-Flying V Sport Center in San Juan.
Donald Tankoua and AC Soberano each drilled 15 points while Evan Nelle and Clint Doliguez shot 12 apiece. James Canlas added 10 for the Red Lions as they marched to their sixth straight triumph.
The big efforts of the five allowed the Red Lions to post the season’s biggest winning margin with the 46-point advantage when it was over.
Not only that, the Red Lions went on to make a season-high 38 field goals made out of 79 attempts and a season-high 16 triples in a game.
The Red Lions, led by as much as 52, 102-50, in the closing minutes, took charge right way during the first period, with Tankoua eking out eight in the first period.
Tankoua’s presence allowed the Mendiola dribblers to pull away, 30-17, before the second canto got under way with Soberano connecting with 5 of 9 triples as the Red Lions took a 47-27 halftime spread.
“I never expected a blowout against Perpetual. I have so much respect for the team. Now, this will give us confidence when we play against Lyceum next week,” said Fernandez.
The Red Lions are bracing for a big challenge when they meet the tough Lyceum Pirates this Tuesday.
The Mapua Cardinals, with Laurenz Victoria and Paolo Hernandez making 24 and 20 points, posted their third consecutive victory in eight matches, with an 83-63, smothering of the Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers.
Hernandez and Christian Bunag, who had 10 points, combined for 13 points in the third period as the Cardinals took a 58-46 spread before the start of the fourth.
Earlier, the San Beda Red Robins, behind Yukien Andrada and Rhayyan Amsali, downed the Junior Altas, 95-76, in the junior action. This improved their grip on the solo lead at 6-1.
The defending titlist Malayan Red Robins clawed their way from 14 points down to prevail over the Jose Rizal University Light Bombers, 72-65, in overtime, and they improved to 2-5.
Andrada chipped in 19 points while Amsali returned from a one-game suspension with 16 markers, seven rebounds, six assists, two steals and two blocks.
Yuki Kawamura had 21 points for the Junior Altas (1-5).
Rookie guard Galang topscored with 20 points, including nine in the fourth as the Red Robins forced a 62-all tie in regulation.
Jonnel Policarpio knocked in 15 points, for the Red Robins, who limited the Light Bombers to three points in the extra period.