San Beda Super Six Too Strong For AU

Undermanned, against all odds.  These are the type of games you only see in the movies.  Probably you’ve seen the movie by Gil Bellows titled Second String in 2002 and you’ll get the picture.

3 rookies, 2 NCAA 1st timers, 1 veteran Red Lion, 5 former Red Cubs and 1 former member of the LSGH Greenies has done the impossible.  An amazing historical feat.  Undeniably one for the books.  Probably unheard of in Philippine College Basketball.

Call them the Fantastic 6.  The Fearless Half-Dozen. Like those Hollywood documentaries about the Special Forces or Navy Seals.  For the San Beda Community, they were known as the Super Six. The kind of players in every coach’s wish list.

The San Beda Red Lions scored their 1st win of NCAA Season 88 with a victory over the Arellano Chiefs, 81-71 at the Arena in San Juan City.

Down 12 plus a strong 1st quarter performance by the Chiefs that included a barrage of 3-pointers from Larry Malanday and Rocky Acidre, the Red Lions managed to tie the ball game at 33-all with 5:40 left in the 2nd Quarter.  Then Dave Moralde, with his 7 of 12-points in the 2nd period, scored on a baseline lay-up to come to within 2 to close the 1st half.

Art De la Cruz, who had 7 of his 18 points in the 3rd quarter and a game high 14 rebounds, made it a 49-46 lead for San Beda at the 5:18 mark.

Antonio Bonsubre committed his 5th and final foul at the 7:12 mark of the 4th with the Red Lions on top, 65-54.

“It’s all about the heart of my players,” said San Beda Red Lions Head Coach Ronnie Magsanoc.

Absolutely and his players believed.  Almost like their story during the preseason, the Chiefs tried to make another drastic comeback.  With a 4-0 attack midway thru the final period, Arellano tried to close the gap, but back to back clutch baskets from Francis Abarcar and a midrange jumper by Jon Villaruz from the right wing kept the Red Lions safely out of harms way until the final buzzer.

Despite being shorthanded, his 6 players still out-rebounded the Chiefs 46-38 and had 21 turnover points compared to Arellano’s 2.   “It was a win that they worked hard for it and every possession. I thought we were beaten when we were down by few points and eventually we made the necessary adjustments.”

Abarcar had 16-points with 8-points in the 4th quarter while Villaruz contributed for 17-points and 8 rebounds for the Red Lions.

“Exhausting for them but extremely rewarding. It was a huge challenge and they were able to overcome.”

source: Inboundpass