Defending champion San Beda seemed like a team in crisis after losing for just the second time in the 90th NCAA basketball tournament last Wednesday.
Their prized big man benched due to disciplinary reasons, the Red Lions also had their star point guard brought to the hospital for a checkup due to a contusion following a rough duel with their fierce rivals, the Letran Knights.
But Lions coach Boyet Fernandez was hardly bothered even after the 53-64 loss to the Knights that saw them fall into a tie for top spot with Arellano at the end of the first round. Instead, he challenged his team to step up in the second round starting next week.
The league holds its All-Star showcase tomorrow, with the second round games starting on Monday.
Ola Adeogun was benched for missing three days of practice for unknown reasons. And as the Red Lions were attempting to overhaul a double-digit deficit in the third period, Baser Amer had to leave the game due to a contusion, leaving San Beda without its leader on the court.
“Probably we’ve stepped backward for now, and hopefully we can push it two or three steps forward,” said Fernandez whose team shot a season-low in the loss to the Knights.
Adeogun did not comment on his benching, but Fernandez said the Nigerian violated team rules.
Fernandez remains hopeful Amer will not miss games since back-up guard Ranbill Tongco is also expected to be out due to his duties with the national Under-18 team seeing action in Qatar.