NCAA: San Beda's sensational six outlast Arellano

Six San Beda College Red Lions were enough to record the school's first win of the 88th NCAA season in dramatic fashion, dispatching the Arellano University Chiefs 81-71, Sunday at the FilOil Flying V Arena in San Juan. Comprised of three rookies (two former Red Cubs and one La Salle Greenie), two transferees from the UAAP, and one veteran who was kept on Team B last season, the reigning back-to-back titlists bucked the sheer odds to produce a come-from-behind win. "It’s all about the heart of my players," said San Beda Red Lions head coach Ronnie Magsanoc, after the Hollywood-movie like victory. San Beda entered the contest with nine of their 15-man roster suspended, as part of the sanctions stemming from last December's brawl on their Mendiola campus, which involved then-head coach Frankie Lim, and San Sebastian College volleyball coach Roger Gorayeb. They found themselves down 12 after a strong first quarter performance by the Chiefs that included a barrage of three-pointers from Larry Malanday and Rocky Acidre, but the Red Lions managed to tie the ball game at 33-all, with 5:40 left in the second quarter. Though Arellano fought back, Dave Moralde, who was on San Beda's Team B last season, closed out the second period with a baseline lay-up to keep his side within two points, 44-42, part of the seven markers he totaled in the quarter. An early Nard Pinto basket extended Arellano's lead to two conversions, 46-44, 9:10 left in the third, but it was at that point that San Beda made their move. One-time Ateneo Blue Eagle Art Dela Cruz scored five straight to put his squad up on top, 49-46, more than half of the third left to play. Then, former Red Cub Francis Abarcar teamed up with his NCAA Juniors Finals opponent Ritchie Villaruz, as the duo drained triples to make it 55-46. Baskets by Moralde had the Red Lions lead at 12, 58-46, but Arellano finally got back on board, with two charities by Pinto breaking their seven-minute silence. The Red Lions were up nine when their six-man roster was reduced to five, after Jun Bonsubre, Abarcar's teammate on the Red Cubs, fouled out with 7:19 remaining. A 4-0 blast midway through the final period then saw Arellano make it a six-point affair, 68-62, but back-to-back baskets by Abarcar, followed by a midrange jumper by Villaruz provided the breathing room needed for SBC to hold on. Dela Cruz notched 18 points and a game-high 14 rebounds, while NU-transferee Yvan Ludovice matched his scoring output. Villacruz and Abarcar added 18 and 17 markers respectively. Despite being shorthanded, the San Beda six out-rebounded the Chiefs 46-38, and killed Arellano in transition, scoring 21 to a measly 2. "It was a win that they worked hard for it and every possession," Magsanoc added. "I thought we were beaten when we were down by few points and eventually we made the necessary adjustments. "[It was] exhausting for them but extremely rewarding. It was a huge challenge and they were able to overcome." Arellano, coached by former Red Lions mentor Koy Banal, drew 16 each from Rocky Acidre and Nard Pinto, but they too were playing without some key members of their roster. Fil-Canadian AJ Serjue suffered an ACL injury in the summer and will miss the rest of the season, while James Forrester was out with a foot injury. Still, things can only get better for the defending champs from this point out. All their suspended players, save for Ola Adeogun, will be available come their next game, July 2 against the Lyceum Pirates. The Chiefs on the other hand will try to rebound immediately, as they're scheduled to play the EAC Generals right away, on June 25.  - AMD, GMA News The scores: SBC 81 - Ludovice 18, Dela Cruz 18, Villacruz 17, Abarcar 16, Moralde 12, Bonsubre 0. AU 71 - Acidre 16, Pinto 16, Hernandez 15, Malanday 14, Salcedo 4, Bangga 4, Zulueta 2, Cadavis 0, Lunas 0, Valera 0, Espiras 0. Quarter scoring: 21-28, 42-44, 63-54, 81-71 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