Art Dela Cruz put on another sensational performance for San Beda. KC Cruz
The reigning back-to-back NCAA champs looked tough to be beat when they numbered just six. They looked even fiercer when their ranks swelled to 14.
With the majority of their line-up returning from a one-game suspension, the San Beda College Red Lions earned their second straight victory by demolishing the hapless Lyceum University of the Philippines Pirates, 82-67, Monday at the FilOil Flying V Arena, in the 88th NCAA seniors division basketball tournament.
The Red Lions boasted of a 41-29 lead by halftime, and were never threatened in the game, after doubling the Pirate's output, 24-12, after ten minutes.
Sophomore sensation Baser Amer led the Red Lions in scoring. KC Cruz
Behind the efforts of Baser Amer and Jake Pascual, San Beda found itself up 56-37 midway through the third quarter, and went into cruise control from that point on.
“Our aim is to be one of the top teams on defense and hopefully we can rely on that part of our game against tough teams. It is also good to have all the players back and have a good rotation for our team,” said San Beda head coach Ronnie Magsanoc.
“I’m pretty sure we can attain that goal if we work together as a team,”
Super Six big man Art Dela Cruz had an all-around performance for the Red Lions with 11 points, 13 rebounds and 5 assists while Amer added 17 points for the Red Lions.
The Red Lions out-rebounded the Pirates, 46-30, and clobbered them 12-0 in second chance points
San Beda registered their biggest lead, 71-46, after an Amer jumper with less than five minutes left in the game.
“Everybody sacrificed tonight and it allowed me to play everyone tonight,” added Coach Magsanoc.
Floricel Guevarra had a team-best 14 points for Lyceum, while Dexter Zamora and Chris Cayabyab contributed 12 each.
The defeat sent Lyceum into the cellar, alongside the Arellano Chiefs, with both teams sporting 0-3 records. The Pirates though will play the Emilio Aguinaldo Chiefs on Saturday, July 7, where they will be seeking to notch their first win against last season's tenth placers.
San Beda on the other hand moved up to 2-0, and won't see action again until July 12, when they cross paths with last season's host squad, the Perpetual Help Altas.
- AMD, GMA News
The scores:
SBC 82 — Amer 17, J.Pascual 14, Dela Cruz 11, Caram 8, Villaruz 7, Dela Rosa 7, Koga 5, Ludovice 4, K. Pascual 4, Abarcar 3, Lim 2, Mendoza 0, Bonsubre 0, Moralde 0.
LPU 67 — Guevarra 14, Zamora 12, Cayabyab 12, Francisco 10, Ko 8, Edding 5, Mallari 3, Laude 3, Martinez 0, Garcia 0, Ambohot 0, Azores 0.
Quarter scoring: 24-12, 41-29, 67-42, 82-67.
Inboundpass has been covering collegiate basketball for six years. For more NCAA stories and information, check out inboundpass.com and follow Inboundpass on Twitter at @inboundpass
