San Beda spoils UP debut in Filoil Pre-Season Cup

Ola Adeogun throws up a shot against two defenders. Photo from Filoil Flying V Facebook account, by Raffy Dela Peña.

MANILA, Philippines — San Beda gave University of the Philippines a rude welcome in the 2013 Filoil Flying V Hanes Premier Cup with a 70-58 win Friday at the Arena in San Juan.

Skipper Rome Dela Rosa led San Beda’s attack with an almost perfect game with 18 points on 6-of-7 shooting from the field, as the Red Lions’ outclassed the Maroons’ front court.

Though UP put on resistance in the last five minutes of the game, San Beda managed to figure out to break the Maroons’ press and put the outcome beyond doubt.

“It’s the first time in three games were we dictated the tempo,” said head coach Boyet Fernandez. “When we were up, maybe they thought it was a won ball game already but they refocused themselves.”

After being up by as much as 27 points in the third quarter on a basket by Dela Rosa, the Red Lions saw their lead dwindle down to just 10, 68-58, with 1:30 left.

But starting forward Art Dela Cruz nailed a jumper which 1:07 left and neither squad scored anew as San Beda improved to 2-1.

“I’m really happy with how we played, we started out strong. We needed a win before we go to the States,” said Fernandez.

The Red Lions fly to the United States next week for their annual summer training in Los Angeles and will be back on May 15.

Nigerian Ola Adeogun finished with 12 points and seven rebounds as the Maroons’ young big men just couldn’t figure out how to crack the interior.

UP managed to make a run behind transferee Joseph Marata, but spent three and half quarters getting clobbered by San Beda.

Marata, who served a two-year residency, finished with a team-best 13 points, while Mikee Reyes, Paolo Romero and Raul Soyud each chipped in eight markers.

UP’s blue-chip rookie recruits Kyles Lao had five points and Andrei Paras had one as they were played a combined 18 minutes in their debut.