Photo by Tristan Tamayo/ INQUIRER.net
It took an unlikely alliance between longtime rivals to finally take down the league-leaders.
Stars from San Beda and Letran conspired on Friday as they headlined the Saints’ takedown of Lyceum-powered Heroes in the 2017 NCAA All-Star Game, 84-80.
“The rivalry was suddenly gone,” said Red Lion Javee Mocon. “We really helped each other out to get the win against CJ Perez because they’re really strong.”
The Saints forged a bond between the Red Lions, who had Mocon, Robert Bolick, and Davon Potts, and the Knights, who were represented by Rey Nambatac, Bong Quinto, and JP Calvo, as they, together with standouts from Perpetual, St. Benilde, and San Sebastian, dealt Perez his first taste of defeat this year.
But the players themselves said that the union really wasn’t difficult at all, sharing that being rivals is what actually made playing together easy.
“Bolick and I have known each other since high school so we know each other’s games. We just enjoyed the game and it resulted well for us because we really had a chance to play together,” Nambatac said.
“When we’re opponents, we’re opponents, But we know [the Letran players] are good. Here, we’re teammates, so it’s really different for us,” Bolick said. “But this game showed us how smart they are on the court because they were able to adjust. I’m so happy that I was able to have fun playing with them.”
Being on the same team was also an eye-opener for players from the two rival schools.
“We know that when we’re facing them, they won’t back down. But it really surprised me that when you’re with them, they’re really kind,” said Bolick.
“We’re just rivals on the court. Outside the court, we’re all friends,” Nambatac said.