SAN BEDA COLLEGE avenged its finals loss to defending champion Letran last season, securing a shaky 89-85 victory at the start of the Season 92 National Collegiate Athletic Association on Saturday at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
The Red Lions hardly missed the services of their deadly trio in Baser Amer, Art de la Cruz and Nigerian reinforcement Ola Adeogun as they displayed their new weapons to clobber the Knights, who parade a new head coach in Jeff Napa.
In a battle of tournament heavyweights, San Beda relied on the hot shooting duo of David Potts and Ranbill Tongco, who combined for 16 points in the critical stretch in the fourth quarter to widen their gap to 80-71, with 3:42 remaining in the game.
Letran threatened in the closing seconds but the Red Lions hit the timely free throws to notch their first win.
“It just shows that we are a good team for this season,” San Beda Head Coach Jamike Jarin said. “But this is just our first game. We should never be complacent.”
The Filipino-American Potts was a revelation for the Red Lions in the game as he played with poise against the physical defense of Letran.
“I’m just excited to play my first game. I just want to win the championship,” Potts said.
Jayvee Mocon, instrumental to their first half push, finished with 18 points and six rebounds to lead the Red Lions, while Potts and team skipper Dan Sara added 16 and 14 markers, respectively. Donald Tankoua, who was held to two points in the second half, registered 13 points.
“They played well in the second half despite the run of Letran. Luckily, they made their shots in the crucial minutes,” Jarin added.
Letran’s John Quinto led all scorers with 23 points, while Rey Nambatac had 18 markers, nine boards and seven assists.
The Knights also lost key players in last season’s Finals Most Valuable Player Mark Cruz and forward Kevin Racal due to graduation, as well as their Head Coach Aldin Ayo, who transferred to De La Salle.
The Red Lions were leading at the half, 45-36, but the defending champions responded with an 8-2 run in the final minute of the third canto to even the game at 60-all.
Then came Potts, who opened the fourth period with a five quick points, while Tongco added nine markers during their decisive run to seize control of the match.
Letran won its two meetings with San Beda in last season’s elimination rounds, 93-80 and 77-73, but lost in the playoff for the No. 1 seed, 78-83.
Image credits: Roy Domingo