Ola Adeogun posted a double-double and hit the go-ahead basket as San Beda defeated Letran in double overtime, 99-96, on Saturday in an intense match to start off its Filoil Flying V Hanes Premier Cup campaign at The Arena in San Juan.

Adeogun contributed 13 points and 12 rebounds, hitting a putback with 1:08 left in the second overtime that gave the lead to the Red Lions for good.

Baser Amer led all scorers with 28 points, while  Art Dela Cruz had 21 points and 11 rebounds as the Red Lions erased a 15-point third quarter lead to force overtime and win a rematch of the NCAA Season 89 finals.

San Beda also took advantage after Letran’s Mark Cruz, Ford Ruaya, Rey Nambatac, Jamil Gabawan, and Kevin Racal fouling out one after another in the late stages of the fourth quarter and overtime periods.

Still, the Red Lions had to work for the victory as Adeogun converted on a follow-up for a 97-95 advantage. Daryl Singontiko split his two free throws that would have tied the game for Letran, and Dela Cruz converted two free throws with 19.5 seconds left to settle the score.

The Knights failed to protect a 59-44 lead in the third period. They also needed a rousing fightback in the first half after a slow 12-1 start by outscoring the Red Lions, 28-15, in the second quarter for a 48-39 halftime advantage.

“Letran really fought hard today,” said San Beda coach Boyet Fernandez. “They really played with heart. We are just lucky that we won. They got into foul trouble and we are happy that we came out with the win.”

Fernandez also rued San Beda’s defense giving up nearly a hundred points in the game.

“A win is a win. We need a lot of things to check especially on defense,” Fernandez said.

Racal scored off a San Beda turnover with 14.2 seconds in regulation to force overtime. He also hit two free throws to once again forge a deadlock with 14.6 ticks in the first extra period. Racal, however, fouled out in the 2:06-mark of the second overtime, leaving Letran with limited offensive options.

The two rivals fought in an intense duel as a handful of Letran fans even pelted the court in the first overtime to protest a decision by a referee.

Meanwhile in junior's action, reigning five-time NCAA champions San Beda Red Cubs clobber UAAP season 76 undefeated champions NU Bullpups, 86-68.

The Red Cubs built a decent lead ending the first quarter with a 31 to 19 lead. NU kept close with unanswered scoring spurts but the run and gun play of the Rizal based dribbles was too much for the Bullpups.

Gang rebounding and crisp passing paved the way for the Red Cubs' victory.

source: Spin.ph with report from Pula
photo: Filoil Flying V Sports
Here's the clip of San Beda Red Lions' training in Lithuania. Thank you to BasketNews.lt for this video.



San Beda team manager Jude Roque assured the Red Lions will make it in time for their opening game in the Filoil Flying V Premier Cup against NCAA archrival Letran next Saturday.

Doubts have risen about the Red Lions, who are in the midst of a two-week training camp in Lithuania, missing their anticipated matchup against Knights in the preseason tournament next weekend.

But Roque confirmed to Spin.ph on Saturday the Red Lions will arrive on Tuesday evening, locking up the early NCAA Finals rematch.

That also means some Red Lions who are also strut their wares for NLEX in Baser Amer, Ola Adeogun, Art dela Cruz, Ryusei Koga will also be back for the Road Warriors in an earlier PBA D-League game.

Even NLEX teammate and former Letran rival Kevin Alas confirmed of the Red Lions arrival.  

“Aabot yun. Laro na San Beda boys sa (D-League) game namin sa 24.”

source: Spin.ph
The strongest collegiate team in the Philippines today was at Kaunas for their two-week training camp. 

The four-time NCAA Philippines champion San Beda Red Lions played four friendly matches against selected Lithuanian teams. Coach Rūtenis Paulaskas helped the team with their training.

San Beda has played two matches with LSU and VMU team in Kaunas then moved to Palanga to continue the training camp.

The Red Lions were tested by another two friendly matches held at New Hoops Arena in Palanga.

"We are very pleased that they chose to have their training camp here in Lithuania. As far as we know, they had to choose from three options and we’re glad they picked the Lithuanian basketball tradition.” organizers said. 

photo: Coach Jude Roque

Note: This article has been edited for easy understanding. The original article was translated using Google Translate
San Beda is tearing a page off the Gilas Pilipinas playbook when the Red Lions fly to Lithuania as part of its buildup for the NCAA.

Head coach Boyet Fernandez said San Beda’s trip to Lithuania is now a go after the visa applications of the entire team were approved on Thursday.

“We will be training just like what Gilas did. We hope to learn more." San Beda coach Boyet Fernandez

The Red Lions will be leaving for Lithuania on Saturday for a three-week training period where they will have four pocket tournaments against taller collegiate teams that play European-style basketball.

“We will be training just like what Gilas did. We hope to learn more,” said Fernandez.

Last year, Gilas Pilipinas also went to Lithuania to train for the Fiba-Asia Championship in Manila. It led to a berth in the 2014 Fiba World Cup when the nationals finished second to Iran in the tournament.

Lithuania is a major force in world basketball having produced several NBA stars that include Arvydas Sabonis and Sarunas Marciulionis.

Unlike in previous preseason trips where the team traveled to the United States, San Beda will train in Europe for the first time.

Fernandez believes the trip funded by team patron Manny V. Pangilinan and the San Beda community will be more beneficial to the squad since the European brand of game suits NCAA rules more than the US game.

“More on Fiba rules kasi ang NCAA tapos malalaki pa (ang makakalaban sa Lithuania) so hopefully (the trip) will help us a lot,” said Fernandez.

The Red Lions are gearing up for Season 90 where they will be seeking a fifth straight crown.

Among the San Beda players that will make the trip are Ola Adeogun, Kyle Pascual, Art Dela Cruz, Baser Amer, and Ryusei Koga. Incidentally, the five will also miss three games for NLEX in the PBA D-League.

source: Spin.ph
The son of Freddie Abuda will stay with San Beda after his high school stint with the Red Cubs.

San Beda coach Boyet Fernandez said Franz Abuda has committed to play for the Red Lions in college, bringing his defensive abilities to the four-time NCAA defending champions.

Although he posted modest numbers of 5.6 points and 6.1 rebounds per outing in his final season with the Red Cubs in 2013, the 6-1 Abuda has gotten high marks from Fernandez because of his tough defense which the coach likened to his father's.

“He is a pesky defender like his father,” said Fernandez of the younger Abuda.

Incidentally, Franz stayed at San Beda even after his father, a longtime mainstay of San Miguel in the PBA, recently moved to De La Salle in the UAAP as an assistant coach.

Freddie is also part of the coaching staff of Barangay Ginebra in the PBA that is led by head coach Ato Agustin and active assistant coach Juno Sauler.

Fernandez also said the Red Lions have also gained a commitment from another Red Cub, Lance Abude, and former national youth team member Daryl Pascual, an athletic 6-4 cager out of Pampanga who can play multiple positions.

Barring any last-minute changes, Fernandez said San Beda will most likely hold its preseason training in Lithuania. Specific details of the training are still being ironed out, he added.

source: Spin.ph

An underpowered San Beda squad completed a sweep of the 2014 Cebu City Mayor’s Cup Inter-Collegiate Basketball Tournament with a 63-45 win over reigning Cesafi champion University of the Visayas on Sunday at the Cebu Coliseum.

Even with their best players staying in Manila to focus on their campaign with the NLEX Road Warriors in the PBA D-League, San Beda proved too much for its rivals and posted dominant wins over the University of San Jose-Recoletos Jaguars (78-63) and the University of San Carlos Warriors (78-61) earlier in the week in the pocket tournament organized by the Cebu City Sports Commission.

San Beda led by as many as 16, 52-46, but the Lancers trimmed it down to nine, 45-54, with six minutes to go.

However, that was as close as UV got as San Beda rattled off nine straight points capped by a shotclock-beating three-pointer by Ivan Ludovice and a three-point play by Mendoza to seal the win and the crown.

Import Donald Tankoua and MVP Anthony Semerad paced San Beda’s balanced attack with nine points apiece, while Ludovice chipped in eight.

The Lancers, which finished the tournament with a 1-2 win-loss record, got 14 from 6-foot-11 reinforcement Jean Mpouma while John Abad contributed 12 markers

The Lancers were within four halfway through the third period when San Beda finished that stretch with a 12-0 flurry with baskets from Daryl Pascual, Jaypee Mendoza, former University of Cebu import Arnaud Noah and Semerad, for a 42-30 lead going to the final period.

“I know now which players would step up even under pressure. This tournament really helped me determine who deserves to play in the NCAA tournament this season,” said head coach Boyet Fernandez.

source: Spin.ph

SLAM Rising Stars: Javee Mocon from Gia Jamias on Vimeo.
Name: Javee D. Mocon

Height: 6’4”

Weight: 189 lbs

Age: 18

High School: San Beda College - Rizal

Committed to: San Beda College

Awards Won: NCAA Season 88 (2012) Finals MVP, Mythical 5, FilOil Juniors MVP and Mythical 5 (2012, 2013), PSSBA Mythical 5 (2012, 2013)

Pregame Ritual: Prayer, eating Hersheys Chocolates

Song On Repeat: Anything from R. Kelly

In-game Kicks: Nike Zoom Kobe 8

Post-game Kicks: Vans

Needs Work On: Ball handling, outside shooting, perimeter defense

Projection: strong power forward with the willingness to play rough and tough like former Red Lion Jake Pascual but with a slashing game off the triple threat stance.

Having played mostly the 4 and sometimes the 5 in high school, decorated San Beda Red Cub Javee (pronounced Jay-Vee) Mocon moves like a tank, barrelling through defenders when he gets the ball within 10 feet of the basket, has great footwork in the post, and battles hard for rebounds.

But in a recent conversation with Sane Beda Red Lions head coach Boyet Fernandez, his newest frontline recruit will see a lot of minutes at the 3-spot, especially with the graduation of former captain Rome Dela Rosa. I mention this to Javee at the start of our interview and he smiles. 

“Ako po ready ako if they ask me to play at the wings because even when I was younger, I already knew I would have to expand my skillset if I am blessed to play in the seniors. The past few years I’ve been practicing my ball handling on my own and I hope it pays off.” With reigning Finals MVP Arthur Dela Cruz still holding down the starting power forward spot, Javee knows he’s going to have to be stronger at the post to back up Dela Cruz when he sits down, and at the same time be a better fastbreak finisher and outside shooter to run the wings when Baser Amer starts the break for the Red Lions. 

“I’ve always been taught that more than just mastering your position, sa basketball you have to be able to do a lot of things, and usually these things are the things you need to win.” 18 years young and already wise beyond basketball years.

Javee will be playing to his strengths for the Red Lions: he’s a legit 6’4” forward with low post footwork, he is a mean slasher off the triple-threat stance, and he has a respectable 15 foot jumper especially from the elbows. His rebounding and inside defense have been superb in the juniors, and that’s what he expects to contribute right away to the defending 4-peat NCAA champs. “Pinapanood ko sina Rome, Kyle Pascual and the other Red Lions before and these big guys can chase guards also. I want to be that type of defender.” The kid’s a winner, thanks his many years in the legendary high school program in San Beda, and his willingness to do the other things at the start will earn him more minutes. Now if this bull-strong 6’4” forward can add more speed and outside shooting for the Red Lions, he’s going to stand out in a very loaded Red Lions frontline.

source/video: SLAM Philippines
Name: Ranbill Tongco

Height: 5’9″

Weight: 165 lbs.

Age: 18

High School: San Beda College

Committed to: San Beda College


Achievements/Awards won: 2011 SEABA U-16 Champion, 3-time NCAA Juniors Champions (Seasons 87-89), 2013 Gold Coast Australia Invitational Tounrament Champion, 2013 SeaOil NBTC Elite League Champion, 2011 ASEAN Basketball Tournament Champion

Pre-game ritual: “I always listen to music. I just put on my earphones and I really just try to focus.”

Song on repeat: Weezy’s Good Kush and Alcohol.

In-game kicks: Retro Jordans. If he had to choose only one, J11 Breds.

Post-game kicks: Roshe Run and Janoski

Seniors ready: “I know I’m not perfect and I still need to improve for college ball.”

Ranbill was one of San Beda’s key guys in the Juniors division. Even in a team with a lot of big names, he had a number of ‘Player of the Game’ performances. That says a lot about what he can do. However, the collegiate rank is an entirely different story. There’s a lot of work to be done, a lot of gym hours that need to be put in.

Tongco will likely benefit from playing back-up to Baser Amer. He’ll learn a lot from a guy who plays the same position as he does and who transitioned well from the Juniors to Seniors. Of course, The Hammer was already in a class of his own when he was with the Red Cubs. But that’s exactly why Ranbill could learn a lot from him.

Needs work on: “Kailangan ko pa magpalaki ng katawan and I need to develop maturity in my game.”

Step one in improving is knowing your weak points. This youngin was on target in pointing out his areas of improvement.

The game has continuously evolved and so have the players. They’ve become much taller. Ranbill’s height of 5’9″ was about average for a point guard in this country back in the day. Not anymore. He’s now undersized even at the point. And obviously, he has to make up for that with something.

Tongco’s quickness isn’t headturning. What he can probably improve is his strength. In his position, strength has become such an advantage in today’s hoop game. We see a lot of guards operating in the post when recognizing mismatches.

As far as maturity goes, well, he’s gonna play for perennial championship squad; a team loaded with future pros. Basically, he’s got to understand the situation that there everyone on that team is a role player. No superstar. But he knows that already. That’s how it was too when he was with the Red Cubs.

Projection: Ryusei Koga

Like Koga, expect Tongco to start with minimal minutes. But whatever he gets, he’ll make the most of. This kid has the ‘Microwave’ icon on NBA 2K. He can come of the bench and score a string of baskets. No warm-up necessary. He probably won’t be such a household name (at least not soon) but he’ll make sure you remember him for the big shots he made or that huge run that he sparked.

source: SLAM Online