Lina shines for Lions with breakout game vs Chiefs

Games Sunday
(Filoil EcOil Arena)
12 p.m. - UPHSD vs Letran
2:30 p.m. - CSB vs SSC-R
MANILA, Philippines -- There is a reason the San Beda Lions waited so long to have big man Bismarck Lina play.
It was in majestic display Saturday as Lina powered his way inside and San Beda into a 79-65 victory over first-round tormentor Arellano University in NCAA Season 100 at the Filoil EcoOil Arena.
Lina dropped a team-best 20 points that he spliced with seven rebounds, which was his best game thus far in just three games with the Lions after sitting out for nine months due to an ACL injury he sustained a year ago during a Gilas Pilipinas 3x3 stint.
He made life easier for his teammates especially skipper Yuki Andrada, who was left open outside and feasted by draining four booming treys on his way to a 15-point effort.
“He has an inside presence na malaking bagay especially for our shooters,” said San Beda coach Yuri Escueta of Lina.
Thanks to Lina, San Beda has improved to 7-3, or just half a game behind pace-setting College of St. Benilde (7-2).
It also avenged the Lions’ stunning 72-70 setback to the Chiefs in the first round last September 28.
Escueta later talked about not playing too complacent.
“Feeling ko kasi we’re taking them (AU) lightly. Kailangan naming respetuhin sila, depensahan ng tama,” he said.
AU dropped to 3-7.

The scores:
San Beda 79 – Lina 20, Andrada 15, Puno 14, Sajonia 8, Payosing 7, Gonzales 4, RC Calimag 3, Songcuya 3, P. Estacio 2, Richi Calimag 2, Tagle 1, Celzo 0, Bonzalida 0, Royo 0, Sollano 0.
AU 65 – Capulong 16, Ongotan 10, Valencia 9, Vinoya 6, Geronimo 5, Borromeo 4, Flores 4, Camay 2, Abiera 2, Libang 2, De Leon 2, Acop 2, X. Estacio 1, Hernal 0, Miller 0.
Quarterscores: 23-16; 41-29; 65-41; 79-65.