Hot Potts, Bolick fire up Lions

DAVON Potts continued his sizzling play at crunchtime, but San Beda found another hero in Robert Bolick as the Red Lions brought another contender to its knees in Mapua, 85-74, last night in the 92nd NCAA basketball tournament at Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan.

Five days after tallying a season-best 31 points, Potts fired 25, including 10 in the fourth period, while Bolick flirted with a triple double of 10 points, 12 rebounds and eight assists as the Lions extended their unbeaten start to seven games.

The Cardinals came within six points at 80-74 on an Andrew Estrella layup with 1:51 remaining, but Bolick immediately extinguished Mapua’s hopes of a comeback by nailing a jumper on the next play. Potts followed suit with a triple with 33 seconds left to wrap up the win for the Lions.

San Beda coach Jamike Jarin was quick to downplay the victory, saying the more important games are still ahead of the Lions, who are seeking their sixth crown in eight seasons.

“This (win) doesn’t mean anything since this is just one game,” said Jarin. “It’s not the playoffs yet. What’s important is we keep getting better, stay grounded and humble. And hopefully we will win the championship.”

Earlier, Rey Nambatac took charge down the stretch as Letran turned back Jose Rizal U, 67-62, for its fifth win in seven games, tying Mapua for third spot.
Nambatac caught fire with 15 of his 29 points in the fourth period as the Knights came through with a strong finishing kick to pin a fourth loss in six games on the Heavy Bombers.

The Knights battled back from nine points down in the third quarter, before leaning on Nambatac’s late explosion. He fired a trey with 44.5 seconds left, extending the Letran lead, 65-60.

The loss put to waste the 27-point effort of JRU skipper Paolo Pontejos.

San Beda’s lethal combination of three-point shooting and full-court press proved too much for a Mapua team that went 1-for-17 from beyond the arc. The Lions, in contrast, hit 11 treys with Potts going 6-of-11 and AC Soberano making 5-of-11 from rainbow territory.

Jarin was quick to praise Bolick for an all-around effort.

“I’m proud as a coach every time you see a player come up with that performance,” he said of the transferee from La Salle.
“It shows you how selfless this team is.” With reports from Miguel de Leon and Philip Matel

The scores:
First Game
LETRAN 67—Nambatac 29, Quinto 12, Calvo 9, Ambohot 4, Balanza 4, Sollano 4, Luib 3, Bernabe 2, Apreku 0, Balagasay 0, Dela Peña 0, Pambid 0.
JRU 62—Pontejos 27, Dela Virgen 9, Grospe 6, Lasquety 5, Mendoza 5, Teodoro 4, Abdul Razak 2, Cruz 2, Astilla 0, Dela Paz 0.
Quarters: 10-12, 23-29, 44-45, 67-62

Second Game
SAN BEDA 85—Potts 25, Soberano 17, Mocon 14, Tankoua 11, Bolick 10, Presbitero 2, Tongco 2, Noah 2, Alas 2, Bonsubre 0, Oftana 0, Adamos 0, Navarro 0, Carlos 0.
MAPUA 74—Oraeme 21, Estrella 14, Serrano 9, Raflores 8, Menina 7, Aguirre 6, Bunag 5, Orquina 4, Biteng 0, Eriobu 0, Dela Rosa 0.
Quarters: 16-20, 45-35, 67-51, 85-74