Robert Bolick. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/ INQUIRER.net
San Beda recovered its bearings in the second half as it outlasted Letran, 81-74 for its third straight win in the NCAA Season 93 men’s basketball tournament Tuesday at Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan.
Robert Bolick carried the load for the Red Lions with 22 points, five rebounds, and five assists, but it was the duo of Javee Mocon and AC Soberano which helped the Red Lions recover from an early 10-point hole as the two poured 19 of the team’s 28 huge third quarter points to grab the 55-50 advantage.
Jerrick Balanza kept the Knights in the game and trimmed the lead to as low as one, 62-61, midway in the period, but Bolick and Mocon drained the insurance buckets as San Beda held off its fierce rival.
“We started strong, but in the first few minutes of the ball game, credit to Letran because they came back and they even led by 10 points. I did just challenge the guys in the locker room to stick with our system, stick with our game plan, and play as a team,” said coach Boyet Fernandez.
Mocon just missed out on a triple-double with 17 markers, 10 boards, and eight assists, while AC Soberano shot 4-of-10 from three to wound up with 16.
San Beda rose up to solo second place with a 4-1 slate.
Balanza notched a career-high of 20 points, three rebounds, and two assists in the losing effort for Letran (1-3).
Bong Quinto added 19 markers and 15 boards, while Rey Nambatac had 18 points and five rebounds, but committed seven turnovers in the defeat.
The Scores:
SAN BEDA 81 – Bolick 22, Mocon 17, Soberano 16, Noah 8, Adamos 5, Potts 3, Doliguez 3, Abuda 3, Tankoua 2, Carino 2, Oftana 0, Presbitero 0, Tongco 0, Bahio 0, Cabanag 0.
LETRAN 74 – Balanza 20, Quinto 19, Nambatac 18, Calvo 14, Taladua 2, Ambohot 1, Balagasay 0, Pamulaklakin 0, Bernabe 0, Gedaria 0, Vacaro 0, Mandreza 0, Caralipio 0.
Quarters: 15-15, 27-34, 55-50, 81-74.