Lions halt Stags as former teammates keep Blazers unbeaten
San Beda coach Yuri Escueta knew exactly what needed to be done when his team stepped into the court against a San Sebastian team that had people craning their necks to take a look at it.
The Red Lions did their part and walked away with an 85-75 victory over the surprising Stags on Saturday in the NCAA Season 100 men’s basketball tournament at San Juan Arena.
“We were able to do a decent job in terms of limiting their strengths, turnover points, fast break points and second chance points,” Escueta said. “They didn’t hit their averages.”
Stags star Rafael Are was one of those who finished way off his usual production. Are entered the game averaging 26.5 points and the Lions held him to nine in the win that gave the league’s remaining pioneer squad a 2-1 (win-loss) record in the ongoing Centennial season.
Transferee Bryan Sajonia had 26 points and eight rebounds to lead San Beda while Yukien Andrada posted a double-double of 21 points and 11 rebounds.
The Lions snapped a back-to-back win run by the Stags in bouncing back from an overtime loss to St. Benilde.
The Blazers continued to look like a juggernaut after staying unblemished after three games—and a couple of former Lions had a big hand in the Blazers’ latest victory.
The Blazers trashed Emilio Aguinaldo College, 77-55, in the later game to stay atop the league ladder at 3-0.
“We prepare for every game,” said coach Charles Tiu. “We coach the guys hard, we coach them to a different standard because we want to be an excellent team so we can never be satisfied with how we play.”
Tony Ynot led the Blazers with 16 points, seven rebounds, two assists and a steal. His fellow former San Beda standout Justine Sanchez added 14 points with six rebounds.
Tiu praised both former Red Lions for picking up the slack for a struggling Allen Liwag, who scored only seven points built on a lowly 27.3 percent shooting clip.
“Tony and Justine, they stepped up and played well even without Allen having his best offensive game,” Tiu said. INQ
