San Beda coach Boyet Fernandez. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
San Beda survived Letran on Tuesday but the Red Lions’ performance down the stretch left coach Boyet Fernandez with a bad taste in the mouth.
Fernandez was livid after San Beda needed to scrape past Letran late despite taking a commanding 22-point lead with only six minutes to go.
“I’m just really pissed off with how we played in the fourth quarter,” said a red-faced Fernandez.
“First three quarters that was San Beda, but fourth quarter, I don’t know whose team was that. I’m just really pissed off.”
Fernandez had a lot of reasons to be furious with the Red Lions allowing the Knights, who went on a 19-0 surge at one stretch, to pull within a point, 69-68, with 16.8 seconds left.
“If we had lost this game, I should probably blame myself for that because I gave everybody a chance to play and the other guys who came in just simply didn’t want to really step up their game,” Fernandez said.
“They thought it was already a won game for us so I hope they will realize what’s happening right now. the game is not yet over until the final buzzer sounds,” he added.
The Lions also had the endure the absence of their star Robert Bolick amid the Knights’ fiery fightback.
Bolick, San Beda’s heart and soul, fouled out with still 57.3 ticks remaining.
Fortunately for San Beda, other players gave the team a big lift in the endgame.
Donald Tankoua made a big basket for a five-point cushion, Franz Abuda converted on a free throw while Jo Presbitero had a crucial offensive rebound and sank four free throws in the last 7.7 seconds.
“I do thank the guys who played the last one minute of the quarter Jo, AC (Soberano), Franz, Donald and Javee Mocon for stepping up and really taking good care of our defense in the last minute.”
Tankoua finished with 19 points and nine rebounds while Javee Mocon added a double-double with 12 points and 11 rebounds that went with three assists.
Bolick collected 13 points, three rebounds and five assists as San Beda swept Letran in the elimination round for the third straight season.