Red Lions Are Showing That There's Life After Julius Armon

The reigning NCAA champions walloped College of St. Benilde, 80-41, on Wednesday in the Filoil Flying V Hanes Cup quarterfinals as they continue to cope well without Armon, an explosive rookie who was tipped to play a key role for the team this season.

Armon stunned new coach Ronnie Magsanoc and the rest of the team when he decided to leave the Red Lions after their training camp in the United States to try his luck in the NBA D-League.

"Day-to-day," said Magsanoc when asked how the team is adjusting without Armon. “Siyempre, iniisip mo rin ‘yun. Malungkot din isipin ‘yun pero wala ka ring magagawa talaga.

"After a few days, naisip ko rin na kawawa naman yung iba kung ako ‘yung maaapektuhan. Kung sila naka-recover, dapat ako rin.”

The Red Lions, at least, remain dominant in the preseason since the departure of their crack Fil-American guard, winning two games by an average margin of 29.5 points.

Armon had been eyed to take the place of Garvo Lanete, who had played out his years with the Red Lions. The Fil-Am looked perfect for the part after leading San Beda in scoring in his seven preseason outings with a 12.4-point average.

Without him, Magsanoc is looking at Melo Lim and Rome Dela Rosa to fill the scoring gap.

“Melo and Rome have been contributing well. Hindi sila spectacular pero ginagawan nila ng paraan to contribute at minsan, nahihigitan pa nila,” said Magsanoc.

The Red Lions will now face De La Salle in the semifinals after the Green Archers defeated the San Sebastian Stags, 84-70.

source: Spin.ph