MANILA, Philippines — Reigning NCAA champion San Beda made the necessary defensive adjustments in the second half to pull away from College of St. Benilde, 74-58, Monday in the Filoil Flying V Hanes Premier Cup at the Arena in San Juan.
Baser Amer had an all-around effort but it was his defense that got the Red Lions going in the last two quarters.
“We adjusted ourselves to play defense. Baser committed to playing defense in the second half and he made crucial stops and made us run as well in offense,” said San Beda coach Boyet Fernandez, whose squad outscored CSB, 35-20.
“As I told Baser, he is probably one of the best point guards in the league,” added Fernandez, a good point guard as well during his playing years back in the PBA.
The five-foot-10 Amer scattered 15 points, six rebounds, three assists and one steal.
San Beda also got a boost from backup point guard Francis Abarcar for the second straight game.
Abarcar shot 22 points, tying his career-best, for the second consecutive game on nine-of-12 shooting from the floor.
Fernandez also praised his big men which had a major impact on his team’s offense.
“We tried to attack the post with Ola there and Kyle so we created some opportunities for our shooters.”
Ola Adeogun finished with 10 points, 12 rebounds and three blocks.
Mark Romero led the Blazers, who were just down by one, 38-39, at the half, with 19 points including a layup that pushed his team to within nine, 58-67, with over two minutes left after falling behind by as much as 19.
The win by the Red Lions, who hiked their record to 5-2 before wrapping up their elimination round campaign against Adamson, completed the quarterfinals cast in Group A with unbeaten National University leading the group followed by Arellano, San Beda and Adamson.