DEFENDING CHAMPION RED LIONS TAKE WIN DESPITE MISSING KEY PLAYERS
By Maxine Louise Lagman
8 September 2017
San Beda Red Lions proved they are a much stronger team even without top players Robert Bolick, Clint Doliguez and Coach Boyet Fernandez, as they overpowered the Mapua Cardinals, 88-70 on Friday in the NCAA Season 93 men’s basketball tournament at Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan.
Key players Bolick and Doliguez were banned from the game due to last game’s fracas with St. Benilde’s Carlo Young while Coach Fernandez also had a one-game suspension, yet the Red Lions was still able to snatch their ninth straight win at the expense of the Cardinals.
“I’m happy with the way we played despite the absence of Robert and Clint, who are two of our best players,” said San Beda Team Manager Jude Roque.
San Beda was left under the coaching to Red Cubs mentor JB Sison.
The Cardinals were able to keep pace with the Red Lions in the first half, but San Beda continued to pull away by the second, leading up to 20 points.
AC Soberano took charge for the Red Lions with 17 points and two rebounds, while San Beda leading MVP candidate, Javee Mocon, had a double-double record of 11 points and 10 rebounds.
On the other hand, Leo Gabo paced the Cardinals with 17 points, three rebounds and four assists, while Denniel Aguirre added 16 points and two rebounds in the defeat.
San Beda will try to clinch their tenth straight victory against San Sebastian Golden Stags on Friday, while Mapua will face the Arellano Chiefs on Tuesday to hopefully cut their nine consecutive losses that sent them down to a 1-10 slate.
