Key to Lions’ Game 1 win: Check Jio, Kent

San Beda coach Jamike Jarin refused to reveal the reason behind their Game One success in which they beat Arellano University, 88-85, to move on the verge of securing their league-best 20th championship in the 92nd NCAA basketball tournament.

But it was clear as day how the Lions did it – they slowed down the lightning-quick backcourt duo of Jio Jalalon and Kent Salado.

While Jalalon and Salado played like themselves and showed why they are the best two guard tandem in collegiate basketball today by combining for 40 points, 11 points and the same number of assists and four steals, the Lions found a way to make life difficult for the two.

And Robert Bolick and team captain Dan Sara had a lot to do with it.

“They’re the best backcourt duo not just in the NCAA but also in the whole of the country.” said Jarin of Jalalon and Salado. “They can’t be stopped but we can try to make it difficult for them and make them work even more.”

“So credit the whole team for making it work and also these two guys,” added Jarin referring to Bolick and Sara.

It was Bolick who hounded Jalalon all game long while Sara took most of the responsibility of helping limit Salado.

In the end, Jalalon missed critical shots and was forced to pass up to an open Dioncee Holts, who missed a potential game-clinching jumper.

Salado was also unnerved by the San Beda defense that he went one-ofthree from the foul in the stretch that gave the Lions a chance.

“I wouldn’t have done it without the support of the whole team, it was our team defense that made it possible not just myself,” said Bolick, who almost went home to Cebu after he was benched for two seasons in La Salle before he got the call from Jarin to join San Beda.

“It took me so long to get back from playing like this because I was injured early in the season,” said Sara, who fractured a finger in practice early in the first round of elimination.

“I thank coach (Jarin) for being patient with me,” he added.