MANILA, Philippines –The third period is Ola Adeogun’s class.
Powering his way through the hapless defense of the Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers, the 6-foot-8 Adeogun led the San Beda Red Lions, 57-49, to start their five-peat bid.
Adeogun paced the Red Lions with 20 points, 14 boards and two rejections at the Mall of Asia Arena Saturday.
Red Lions head coach Boyet Fernandez said it’s always good to claim the first game of the season.
“I told my players to be focused, and we’re happy to get this one,” Fernandez said. “I always tell my players to concentrate and be focused.”
Ola muscled his way in the third, scoring 10 straight points giving the defending champions a 10 point lead, 39-29, in the three-minute mark.
“This year I told the coaches that I would be ready, I will be focused,” Adeogun said.
Despite a foul-plagued second quarter for the Red Lions, the Heavy Bombers failed to assert their aggressiveness with San Beda holding on 29-21 at the end of the second.
San Beda had their largest lead at 15 at the end of the third, 46-31.
Power forward Kyle Pascual had nine points and eight rebounds for San Beda while Philip Paniamogan had 12 points for JRU.
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