Mocon, Potts star as San Beda escapes Letran
San Beda exacted revenge at its bitter rivals, repulsing defending champ Letran, 89-85 to kickstart its NCAA Season 92 men’s basketball campaign Saturday at Mall of Asia Arena.
Javee Mocon set the tone for the vengeful Red Lions, firing seven of his team-high 18 points as they led by as much as 13, 42-29 in the second quarter. He also had six rebounds in the win.
Davon Potts finished the job, unloading nine of his 16 points in the fourth frame, to go with his four boards.
Dan Sara added 14 points, eight rebounds, and three assists, while Donald Tankoua tallied a double-double of 13 markers and 12 rebounds in the win.
“We were controlling the entire game, but we made mistakes and they took advantage of it, so we had to pay for that,” said coach Jamike Jarin. “I’m just happy that we got away with a win in opening night.”
After the Knights tied the game at 60, Red Lions answered with a 15-4 tear abridging the third and fourth quarters to once again hold an 11-point edge, 75-64 with 5:32 remaining.
Letran would still wage a fightback, trimming the lead down to five, 86-81 with a pair of Jom Sollano freebies with 43.3 ticks left, but a costly turnover from Jerick Balanza shut the door for the Knights in the end game.
“We need to learn from that. Everybody is so excited, you’ve been out for 10 months playing from the NCAA. We need to clean that up,” said Jarin.
Bong Quinto paced Letran with 23 points in a paltry 8-of-21 shooting from the field, to go with five rebounds and four assists.
Rey Nambatac also got 18 markers, nine boards, seven assists, and three steals, but had to play through cramps in the crucial moments in the fourth.
The Scores:
SAN BEDA 89 – Mocon 18, Potts 16, Sara 14, Tankoua 13, Tongco 9, Bolick 7, Noah 4, Presibitero 3, Navarro 2, Soberano 2, Bonsubre 1, Adamos 0, Alas 0, Carlos 0, Oftana 0
LETRAN 85 – Quinto 23, Nambatac 18, Calvo 13, Sollano 11, Balanza 8, Apreku 7, Luib 5, Balagasay 0, Dela Pena 0, Pambid 0, Sario 0
Quarters: 27-17, 45-36, 62-60, 89-85
