SAN Beda picked up from it left off, thrashing host Lyceum of the Philippines, 79-63, to kick off its bid for a back-to-back men’s basketball championship on a high Saturday in the opener of the NCAA Season 100.
Rookie Bryan Sajonia played like the grizzled veteran he is, scoring 12 of his 18 points in a hot first half for the Red Lions who led from start to finish that delighted the red-clad San Beda crowd at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Sajonia spiked his first game in the league since transferring from Far Eastern University by hitting 3-of-5 from the three-point arc, and adding five rebounds and two assists.
“Kaya naman namin siya kinuha dito because of what he can do,” said coach Yuri Escueta of the team’s prized recruit, who played for the Gilas 3x3 team in last year’s Hangzhou Asian Games.
“Knowing Brian, whatever he can do, rebound man yan, assist man yan, score man yan, gagawin niya. Pero ang nakita namin na biggest strength niya is yung defense niya. So I think he did a good job defensively guarding yung shooters ng LPU.”
Sajonia was part of the Red Lions’ hot shooting platoon in the opening half, accounting for two of the six three pointers by the reigning champions, who raced off to a 31-11 lead early in the second period.
Team captain Yukien Andrada also joined the fray with 13 points and six rebounds for San Beda, which managed to endure a strong Lyceum surge in the second quarter and take a 44-29 lead at the break.
“Masaya ako kahit paano nasalo namin yung bugso nila especially nung second quarter,” said Escueta.
The Red Lions were never threatened after that, eventually enjoying their biggest lead of the game at 75-52.
San Beda again proved to be a spoiler against Lyceum, which lost to the same unit in last season’s Final Four despite enjoying a twice-to-beat advantage.
But Ecscueta said the Red Lions – and the other teams as well – still have a lot to improve as the season proceeds.
“Itong first game sa NCAA parang medyo may jitters pa lahat. But hopefully everyone will eventually relax and calm down and be more composed in terms of our execution and defensive coverages namin,” he said.
As for Sajonia, the 23-year-old guard said leading the Red Lions to victory in his first game with the team is definitely a confidence-booster for him.
“Isa ito sa nakatulong na mag build ng confidence ko going to mga upcoming games namin,” he said when asked about any opening day jitters in his NCAA debut.
To which Escueta replied, ““Paanong magkaka-opening day jitters itong si Bryan, e dalawang taon ng nag-UAAP ito.”
The Scores
San Beda 79 - Sajonia 18, Andrada 13, Payosing 8, Rc. Calimag 8, Bonzalida 7, Puno 6, Gonzales 5, Songcuya 5, Estacio 3, Jalbuena 2, Celzo 2, Royo 2, Ri. Calimag 2, Tagle 0, Culdora 0
LPU 63 - Guadana 22, Barba 13, Villlegas 8, Montano 5, Bravo 5, Cunanan 3, Moralejo 2, Palingayan 2, Aviles 2, Panelo 1, Paulo 0, Paulo 0, Gordon 0, Penafiel 0, Caduyac 0, Daileg 0
Quarters: 29-11; 34-29; 49-34; 79-63
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