NCAA BASKETBALL Red Lions in mighty roar
Defending three-time champion San Beda University made defense its top priority in recording its biggest win this season, a 102-56 demolition of the Perpetual Help Altas in the NCAA Season 95 yesterday at The Arena in San Juan.
Cameroonian center Donald Tankoua scored 15 points, while AC Soberano also matched it with 15 points off the bench to lead a roaring SBU attack in a game that saw the Red Lions dominate the Altas in almost all aspects.
San Beda dictated the
game early when it grabbed a 30-17 advantage, and by halftime the lead had ballooned to 47-27. The four-peat seeking Red Lions ruled the boards, 46-33, and forced the Altas to 18 turnovers, which they translated into 26 points as opposed to just nine SBU turnovers.
The win improved San Beda’s record to 6-0 as it moved up to solo lead in the standings. College of St. Benilde – unbeaten in five matches – is playing Lyceum as of press time and could pull alongside the Red Lions with a win over the Pirates.
San Beda coach Boyet Fernandez commended his players for the effort they gave on the defensive end, which he said is a good preparation for them as they face Lyceum on Tuesday – a team the Red Lions faced and defeated in the previous two finals of the NCAA.
“I salute my boys for this. It gives us lots of confidence against LPU in our next game,” said Fernandez. “Everybody just stepped up, and we’re winning games because of our defense.”
“It’s really our defense. We’re able to score because we’re making the stops. Lyceum’s next for us, and we know it’s going to be a tough game, wellcoached team and they play tough.”
Evan Nelle and Clint Doliguez had solid games for San Beda with 12 points apiece, while Filipino-Canadian James Kwekuteye-Canlas contributed 10 points.