San Beda Dumps Mapua Amidst Physical Encounters

Amidst a physical game, defending champions San Beda College surged to its third straight win during Monday’s National Collegiate Athletic Association hoops action at The Arena in San Juan City.

The Red Lions won its most lopsided game so far with a 78-53 drubbing of the Mapua Institute of Technology, which they routed from the opening moments.

The Red Lions kickstarted the game with three opening treys from Baser Amed and Anthony Semerad to leave the Cardinals for good.

From the second quarter onwards, though, Mapua retaliated with physical defense that drew numerous fouls and sent the Red Lions to the free throw line 29 times. Red Lion forward Anthony Semerad was also taken out of the game due to an apparent concussion after drawing an errant elbow off a Mapua pick.

“Hindi na basketball yun,” an emotional coach Boyet Fernandez lamented after the game. “I have much respect to coach Atoy Co and their players are young, di nila gagawing manakit kung walang nag-utos nun.”

Commenting on Red Lion center Kyle Pascual’s disqualification from the game due to two flagrant fouls that might consequently result in a one-game suspension, Fernandez said that he will appeal the incident to the Technical Committee for a reconsideration.

“Kyle just reacted to defend himself. Sya na nga yung tinitira at sya yung sinisiko,” Fernandez reasoned.

The Red Lions were led by erstwhile Player of the Week Baser Amer with 17 points and 10 rebounds to boost his team to solo second with a 4-1 card. The Cardinals, dropping to 1-4, were led by Joseph Eriobu who chipped in 14 points.

Meanwhile, four-time junior champions San Beda Red Cubs trounce Malayan Robins,  83-61 to remain undefeated at 5-0 win-loss record.

The Scores:

SAN BEDA (78): Amer 17, Dela Cruz 13, Dela Rosa 12, Koga 8, A. Semerad 8, Adeogun 7, Sara 4, Villaruz 2, D. Semerad 2, Mendoza 2, Abarcar 2, Abatayo 1, Bonsubre 0, Pascual 0, Ludovice 0

MAPUA (53): Eriobu 14, Saitanan 12, Brana 8, Cantos 6, Ighalo 6, Estrella 4, Isit 2, Magsigay 1, Biteng 0, Gabo 0, Layug 0

QUARTERS: 21-11, 38-27, 55-44, 78-53

source: FullCourt Fresh