INQUIRER Sports

MANILA, Philippines—Sudan Daniel dunked the ball with authority and managed a slight fist pump as he landed on the floor.

Slight, because he wished he could’ve done better.

With the 6-foot-8 American flaunting his skills early, San Beda flexed its championship muscle to score a runaway 85-52 triumph over Mapua Saturday at the start of the 85th NCAA men’s basketball tournament at the Araneta Coliseum.

“He serves his purpose,” San Beda coach Frankie Lim said of Daniel, who made six of eight shots for 13 points aside from hauling nine rebounds and blocking five shots in just 22 minutes.

“I felt a lot of pressure but that only made me play better,” said Daniel. “But I could have played a lot better and rebounded more.”

Tipped to fill the void left by former league MVP Sam Ekwe, the 21-year-old Daniel brought with him solid credentials that included a stint with Compton Dominguez High School in Long Beach, California, the school that produced NBA stars Tayshaun Prince, Tyson Chandler and 2009 draft 10th pick Brandon Jennings—who played alongside the San Beda rookie for a year in 2006.

Later, Jose Rizal U survived Letran’s late surge for a 69-66 as the Heavy Bombers broke their slump on opening-day games.

The Heavy Bombers watched the Knights reduce their 17-point third quarter lead to two points with 1:37 left, after RJ Jazul made two free throws.

Blown chances

The Knights blew two chances to tie, the last when RJ Jazul drove to the basket only to lose it to Marc Cagoco, who split his free throws off Kevin Alas with 8.9 seconds left to peg the final score.

“My players thought it was over,” coach Ariel Vanguardia said. “Letran will not quit. We played not to lose in the fourth, instead of dictating the tempo which we did the whole game.”

The Heavy Bombers built a 58-41 lead after successive baskets from John Wilson, who finished with a game-high 21 points.

Daniel’s two-handed slam to end the first quarter sent the San Beda faithful on its feet and punctuated the Red Lions’ torrid assault that resulted to an early 27-11 lead.

The Lions were so dominant they cruised to leads of more than 30 points in the fourth when rookie Anjo Caram got into the scoring fray with 10 points.

Lacking the ceiling to match up with San Beda’s big men, Mapua could do little to stop Daniel and the Red Lions’ fluid offense, which led to a 52 percent shooting clip aided by 28 fastbreak points and 20 assists.

Statement game

“This game sends a statement to the league that we’re back and we’re going for a four-peat,” said Lim, whose Lions have won their opening games the past two years via blowouts.

Five San Beda players finished in double-figures led by skipper Bam Gamalinda with 14 points. Gamalinda also had nine rebounds. Jake Pascual and Garvo Lanete chipped in 11 points apiece.

Jimbo Aquino registered 20 points, including four triples as San Sebastian warmed up for its Wednesday showdown with San Beda by flogging Perpetual Help, 76-64, in the third game.

Meanwhile, NCAA president Fr. Mat de Jesus of San Beda announced that the NCAA will introduce Olympic disciplines boxing, fencing and archery as demonstration sports.

The scores:

First Game
SAN BEDA 85—Gamalinda 14, Daniel 13, Pascual 11, Lanete 11, Caram 10, Marcelo 8, Dela Rosa 4, Hermida 4, Tecson 4, Lim 2, Taganas 2, Tirona 2, Villanueva 0, Soliman 0.
MAPUA 52—Cinco 10, Acosta 10, Guillermo 7, Raneses 7, Mangahas 6, Soriano 5, Sarangay 1, Cornejo 1, Stevens 0, Pascual 0, Parala 0, Maniego 0.
Quarters: 27-11, 39-24, 63-37, 85-52

Second Game
JRU 69—Wilson 21, Sena 18, Hayes 14, Cagoco 8, Bulangis 3, Njei 2, Apinan 2, Matute 1, Montemayor 0, Kabigting 0, Agas 0.
LETRAN 66—Jazul 15, K. Alas 11, Gutilban 11, Guevarra 9, del Rosario 7, Cortes 4, Foronda 4, Taplah 3, Pantin 2, Datang 0, Belencion 0, J. Alas 0.
Quarters: 20-17, 36-30, 58-45, 69-66

Third Game:
SAN SEBASTIAN 76—Aquino 20, Bulawan 15, Semira 9, Maconocido 9, Sangalang 9, Raymundo 5, Najorda 4, Abueva 4, Pascual 1, Del Rio 0.
PERPETUAL HELP 64—Elorpe 19, Ynion 16, Galabin 11, Salanga 6, Salvado 3, Carullo 3, Hainga 3, Liaz 2, Vivero 1, Sicat 0, Roñ0 0.
Quarters: 26-13, 51-27, 64-48, 76-64