SAN Beda opened its title-retention campaign in the Filoil Flying V Premier Cup with a bang, dropping National University 71-61 in the nightcap of a quadruple header on Sunday in San Juan.
The Red Lions used a balanced attack spearheaded by JV Mocon in the absence of star player Robert Bolick, who's still out with an injured knee.
"We have been working on our individual defense and it worked when we stopped their scoring at 61 points," said San Beda coach Boyet Fernandez.
Fernandez said the fast pace set by an NU side coached by former Red Lions mentor Jamike Jarin was ideal for his team.
"I credit Coach Jamike for speeding up today’s game, it really suits us because nine other teams in the NCAA are running teams," he added.
Mocon led the Red Lions with 12 points while JB Bahio chipped in 10 points and five rebounds. Donald Tankoua added nine points and seven boards as newcomers James Canlas and Evan Nelle combined for 16.
John Lloyd Clemente paced the Bulldogs with 13 points.
The scores:
SAN BEDA 71 — Mocon 12, Bahio 10, Canlas 9,Tankoua 9, Nelle 7, Soberano 6, Abuda 4, Oftana 4, Presbitero 2, Cuntapay 2, Toba 2, Cabanag 0, Doliguez 0, Tongco 0.
NU 61 — Clemente 13, D. Ildefonso 10, Gaye 9, Aquino 6, Gallego 6, Diputado 5, Menina 4, S. Ildefonso 2, Joson 2, Galinato 2, Tibayan 2, Mosqueda 0, Yu 0, Oczon 0, Mangayaom 0.
Quarters: 14-12, 37-30, 55-48, 71-61.
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