San Beda coach Boyet Fernandez got the wake-up call his Red Lions needed to put their title defense on track right in the opening game of NCAA Season 93.
Returning to coach the Lions after their title conquest in 2014, Fernandez felt relief more than anything as the defending champions averted an upset by pulling away late in a 76-67 triumph over the San Sebastian Stags at Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Two of the stalwarts from last season’s championship run—Robert Bolick and Jayvee Mocon—delivered down the stretch, even as Davon Potts rediscovered his shooting touch just in time for the Lions to hold off a much-improved San Sebastian squad that finished last season with just eight wins.
The Lions also got an unlikely lift from Clint Doliguez, a transferee from Ateneo, who scored all of his six points in the final period, where San Beda unleashed a 14-2 burst to seize control.
“I take this blame, for what happened, for the way we played today,” said Fernandez, whose team committed 25 turnovers but out rebounded the much smaller Stags, 52-34.
“I hope it’s a wake-up call for everyone, especially our team. We simply have to step up every time we play the game. Baste (San Sebastian) really played today, and I salute them.”
Later, last season’s losing finalist, Arellano University, turned back a shorthanded Mapua U, 91-82, behind a superb performance from Kent Salado.
Proving he’s the heir apparent to ex-Arellano star Jio Jalalon, Salado finished with 24 points and seven rebounds for the Chiefs.
“He’s (Salado) really the heart and soul, but the people around him are also big factors,” said Arellano coach Jerry Codiñera.