THE highly-anticipated rematch of last season’s finals got ugly quick, with San Beda taking an easy win in Game One of the NCAA Season 94 championship.
San Beda took advantage of the absence of the suspended CJ Perez as it blasted Lyceum, 73-60, on Tuesday at the Mall of Asia Arena closing in on a third straight championship.
The Red Lions eye NCAA title No. 22 next Monday as Perez returns to action for the Pirates.
Without their MVP, the Pirates bled for points, allowing the Red Lions to pull away early.
While the Pirates fired blanks, the Red Lions found offense from almost everyone – especially from unheralded guards Clint Doliguez and Jeramer Cabang who combined for 16 in the second period when they finally started to create separation.
The Red Lions led by as many as 25 in the second half, as veterans Robert Bolick and JV Mocon started to take over before fighting off a late rally from the Pirates.
“I think without CJ probably bumaba yung effort nila, but again even without CJ we only beat them by 13 points, CJ is averaging 18 points a ball game,” said San Beda head coach Boyet Fernandez.
“Again we really have to control the tempo cause we can’t play up and down against them,” he added.
Mocon led a balanced attack for the Red Lions as he finished with 14 points, 10 rebounds and a block while Bolick added 12 points and nine assists.
Doliguez finished with 11 points as last season’s Finals MVP in Donald Tankoua added 16 rebounds and 10 points.
Mike Nzeusseu led the way for the Pirates with 16 points and 14 rebounds as the Marcelino twins JC and JV finished with identical numbers of 13 points and three assists.
The scores:
San Beda 73 – Mocon 14, Bolick 12, Doliguez 11, Tankoua 10, Cabanag 8, Canlas 6, Oftana 4, Presbitero 3, Nelle 3, Cuntapay 2, Soberano 0, Abuda 0, Eugene 0, Tongco 0, Carino 0.
Lyceum 60 – Nzeusseu 16, Marcelino JC 13, Marcelino JV 13, Ayaay 9, Caduyac 5, Valdez 2, Yong 2, Ibanez 0, Pretta 0, Santos 0, Tansingco 0, Serrano 0, Lumbao 0.
Quarterscores: 19-9; 43-22; 59-39; 73-60.
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