Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
San Beda continued its immaculate run in the Filoil Flying V Preseason Premier Cup and turned back University of the Philippines, 65-56, in the quarterfinals Wednesday at the tournament’s namesake arena in San Juan.
The Red Lions, who are 9-0 so far in the tournament, set up a semifinals matchup against NCAA member Jose Rizal University on Friday.
After a tight 27-26 first half, San Beda pushed the tempo and used a strong third quarter to create some distance from UP.
The Red Lions held down the Fighting Maroons to just seven points while scoring 18 of their own to head into the fourth quarter with a 45-33 lead and that became a big enough margin for San Beda to hold on to the victory.
San Beda head coach Boyet Fernandez said he had to change things up in the second half to counter UP’s pressing defense, citing the Red Lions’ lack of rhythm in their offensive end for their subpar play.
“If we’re going to play against UP, we’re going to execute our game plan properly,” said Fernandez. “In the first half, we kept running around like a headless chicken. I hope the players realized that we’re not going to beat UP one-on-one.”
Robert Bolick led San Beda’s recovery and he finished with 17 points, four rebounds, eights assists, and two blocks while Joese Presbiterio had 14 points.
Ibrahim Quattara posted a 22-point, 25-rebound double-double to lead UP.