San Beda Five Demolish Stags, Take Game 1

In a game that featured a lot of pushing and shoving and just about anything rugged and dirty, San Beda emerged with its head held high as the Red Lions roared to a 75-63 win over San Sebastian last night and come to within a victory from ruling the 87th NCAA basketball wars at the Araneta Coliseum.

Head coach Frankie Lim could not hide his disappointment over the physicality of the game, accusing the Stags of committing a lot of “cheap shots.”

“We’re here to win championships and not hurt people,” said Lim, a true-blue Red Lion who is in his fifth season as head coach of the team.

At the height of the revelry, Lim cautioned his players not to act as though they already have the crown in the bag.

“Let’s just get the second win and we (can) all get crazy,” said Lim.

While the old reliables rose to the occasion, Lim drew premium performance from second-stringer guard Jess Villahermosa, who fired a game-high 15 points in just 11 minutes of play, including a scorching three-of-four from downtown.

The two teams entered the payoff period at 52-all but Villahermosa starred in a 10-3 run that set the tone for a trouble-free finish for the Lions.

While San Beda was busy torching the nets, SSC was attending to things that contributed to the Stags downfall with MVP pick Calvin Abueva either sticking out his elbow or resorting to tactics associated with combat sports possibly because he was prevented from doing his thing by San Beda’s air-tight defense.

Abueva, who averages 21 points a game, was held to only 12 points but still posted a double-double with 12 rebounds.

Lim said he would be ready for just anything SSC will throw against them in Game Two.

“Di namin aatrasan yan even if they become physical.”

Stags coach Topex Robinson was thrown out of the court for unsportsmanlike behavior late in the game for whining about the brand of officiating but nevertheless vowed to get back on track and force a Game Three.

A San Beda win in Game Two will hand the Lions their 16th cage title, tying Letran.

Meanwhile, Andre Paras, son of retired pro Benjie Paras, struck with a three-point play in the last 1:04, to help carry the La Salle Greenhills Greenies to an 85-82 upset win over two-time champion San Beda Red Cubs in Game 1 of the junior finals.

The scores:

San Beda 75 — Villahermosa 15, Jake Pascual 14, Marcelo 14, Dela Rosa 11, Amer 9, Lanete 6, Anthony Semerad 4, Caram 2, David Semerad 0, Kyle Pascual 0

SSC 63 — Pascual 14, Abueva 12, Antipuesto 11, Sangalang 10, Dela Cruz 7, Del Rio 5, Vitug 2, Miranda 0, Balucanag 0, Maiquez 0

Quarters: 20-20, 35-38, 52-all, 75-63

source: MB.com.ph/Manila Standard