MANILA, Philippines - San Beda shackled Adamson with a pressing defense in the early going then went on to rout the Baby Falcons,116-59, in the juniors division of the Filoil Flying V Pre-Season Invitational Cup at the Arena in San Juan yesterday.
The Red Cubs held the Baby Falcons to just two points in the first seven minutes of the contest while scoring a bunch of baskets of their own, sustaining their run till the fourth quarter where they led by as many as 55 points en route to the one-sided victory.
NCAA Season 85 rookie of the year and mythical five member Baser Amer led San Beda with 22 points while five others turned in double-digit scores to underscore the Red Cubs’ balanced offensive attack.
“I just told them to play their game. We will give our best effort in every game in honor of coach (Badolato),” said SBC coach Brit Reroma, referring to the school’s former head coach Ato Badolato, who steered the team to 16 NCAA championships before retiring late last year.
The tournament, named the Badolato Juniors Cup, is actually held in his honor.
“It’s such an honor to be trusted with the team that was once under a legendary coach,” said Reroma. “Of course the pressure is there. But whatever his achievement is, everything that he has done for the team, I give that to him. I will just continue what he has started.”
Earlier, Mapua outlasted Letran, 88-84.
The Red Robins also seized control early and posted a 17-point lead in the first half. But the Squires fought back in the third period, with Mark Cruz firing seven of his 18 points to close within, 62-66.
The Red Robins, however, went to their defense to hold the Squires scoreless for a two-minute in the fourth and race to another 13-point lead.
But Letran, which went on a fouling spree to stop the clock, refused to give up and fought back again with LA Capinding hitting a trey to pull the Squires within three with 10 seconds left in the game.