July 31st: SBC Red Lions vs. EAC Generals

NCAA games today were both exhilarating. First game between CSB and Arellano was truly exciting as both teams truly fought for the win. None seemed to want to take defeat taking the game to its 1st, 2nd and 3rd overtime. In the end, the Blazers successfully snatched the victory. (Wasn't able to take note of the scores. Sorry.)

Second game was between SBC and EAC.

1st quarter: The Lions started out slow with their highest point advantage only at 8. First quarter ended with 23-16 in favor of SBC.

2nd quarter: At over 4 minutes, the Lions' lead was down to 1 from their quarter's highest 9. JSantos' 3 pointer snatched the lead from SBC. "Baby Shaq" Taganas' inside shot tied the scores 33-33 at over 2 minutes on the clock. Taganas made 2 more consecutive inside shots (and nothing from the Generals) stealing the lead back for SBC. Marcelo made another inside shot for the failed 3 point attempt by Gamalinda making it 9 to nothing at over 1 minute. At the last second of the quarter, "Bambam" Gamalinda threw the ball 2 steps away from the 3 point line and was counted as basket after the halftime break deliberation. Qtr score: 49-38.

3rd quarter: The Red Lions were secured of a 10- pt advantage but their turnovers allowed the Generals to catch up a bit. Yet, the Lions were evidently still in control up to the last second of the quarter ending with 19-pt. advantage, 71-52.

4th quarter: SBC brought the lead as high as 24points during the first couple of minutes of the quarter until the Generals started cutting the lead with the help of the Lions' erratic ball handling and passing. Yaya made a 3-pointer answering Hermida's earlier 3-pt. attempt. Followed up by Jabaybay's 2-pointer & 1-pointer at 5:47 on the clock. Score was 78-63, in favor of SBC. More turnovers by SBC this quarter, but as expected of the mighty Lions, they were able to bounce back winning with a 24 point excess, 95-71.

Marcelo was the game's best player.

For me, everyone did their part. Taganas, Hermida, Lanete, Daniel, Gamalinda, Tecson... they all showed an exemplary performance for the team's triumph. Indeed, a game to watch. EAC gave a truly good fight.

Wasn't able to post last July 24th's (fri) game between SBC and CSJL. Twas also a very good game. Tight game, in fact. You can get the complete story here. Final scores were: SBC 79- CSJL 74.

SBC will be facing AUF on August 5 (game 36 of NCAA elimination) at 2PM. And on August 10, they will be facing the Heavy Bombers at 4PM. All games will be held at the FilOil Flying V Arena, San Juan.

Monday's game (Aug 3) is the much-awaited game as, finally, JRU and SSC-R will be facing each other, which will decide who stays on the top of the rank. Both teams are undefeated and game 35 is the deciding game for either of the teams to keep their ranking or to lose their 1st place position.

Til next game...

July 13: San Beda Red Lions vs. College of Saint Benilde Blazers

So sad I had to miss yesterday's bout between SBC and CSB. *sigh* But, still good since the former won the game taking the Blazers to its 2ndth loss in their 4 games. Am wondering if I'd ever find time to watch any of their games live. Goodness, the venue is just very near my place and still I can't find myself anywhere in there during the Lions' games. This is so frustrating.

Anyway, the Red Lions won by 20 pts, 86-66. From one of my sources, Garvo Lanete showed a thrilling performance and finished with 16 points, 4 assists, 3 rebounds and a steal.

Here are the quarter scores: 17-15, 35-28, 58-49, 86-66.

To find out more about yesterday's game, you can go and read >>> Red Lions gobble up erratic St. Benilde.

Til next time...

July 6: San Beda Red Lions vs. Arellano University Chiefs

After shocking the Letran Knights during their July 3 game, the Chiefs were themselves shaken by the Lions in today's game ending with a 28 point lead in favor of the Red Lions, 102-74.

I was, actually, worried that the shooting power of the Chiefs could help them win their game against the Lions but turned out, the latter were prepared enough to congest the Chiefs' shots. Indeed, the San Beda Red Lions are the kings of the court exhibiting their athletic skills and authority.

First quarter ended with only 6-point lead, 20-14. With Borgie Hermida regaining his basketball legs, the team started with a challenging play against the Arellano University Chiefs.

Second quarter was full of aggression on the Red Lions' end denying the Chiefs' baskets during the first couple of minutes. But, the Chiefs' shooting power came out at 7 minutes releasing a 3, but was answered with a 2 by the Lions. Sudan Daniel got a basket and free throws within 5 minutes on the clock. Lanete followed with a 3 and the next couple of minutes, both teams making scores. Lanete scored another 3 at over 4 minutes. The Lions still up with loud roars, at the same time, making petty errors here and there (along with the AU Chiefs). Failed 3 by Hermida & no score for the Chiefs at over 2 minutes. More turnovers by AU allowing the Lions to score. Last few seconds of the quarter, the Chiefs released a 3 ending with 16 point lead in favor of SBC, 50-34.

Third quarter's the peak of SBC's score. First couple of minutes, the advantage was up by 21 plus another 3 by Borgie Hermida. Daniel contributed 2 while they impair the opponents' offense but missed a charity throw at 3:34. Turnovers by the Chiefs increased but the team found an advantage in scoring through foul shots. Lanete let another 3 within the last 3 minutes of the quarter. Miranda scores for AU through charity toss. The Chiefs finally were able to score 2 within the last 2 minutes of the quarter. Daniel rejected a basket from AU and the lead went way up by 32 at 51.7 on the clock. But, small errors by the Lions allowed the Chiefs to lessen the lead through free throws ending the quarter with 28 point lead by the Lions, 79-51.

Fourth quarter was almost a chance for AU to catch up as their men started releasing 3s within the early minutes of the final quarter. They also exhibited strength in defense while the Lions started becoming a little erratic opening their defense for the Chiefs to make long shots. Under 6 minutes, Virtudazo let a 3 but Baby Shaq Taganas immediately answered with a 2. Two consecutive 2s for the Lions under 2 minutes and no score for AU. At 1:48, the Chiefs scored 3 and Miranda made a 2 after an attempt by the Lions. Last couple of seconds, the Lions scored one last 3 ending with 28 point advantage, 102-74.

Jay-R Taganas was the star player of the game. I wasn't able to get his stats, sorry.

The San Beda College Juniors also won the game against AU Juniors, 106-51.

Not that the first game was nothing to me. Just I wasn't able to watch it because I was watching a flick after lunch. So, I have no idea which team won. First game was EAC against AUF.

Last friday, July 3, I was out so I missed the happenings in NCAA. But, here's where you can find details of last friday's games:

St. Benilde now 2-0 after stopping Mapua
JRU crushes hapless Perpetual Help

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

SBC's game against SSC-Recolettos last July 1st was an overthrow ending with 83-77 in favor of SSC-R. And twas quite disappointing for the SBC fans since the team was holding the advantage during the first 3 quarters. But, the lead didn't reach any higher than 5 and the game was, in fact, a pretty tight one. This was what pushed coach Ato Agustin to encourage his men to focus and snatch the lead from the Lions, which they were able to do at the last quarter.

Game's Star Player was Jimbo Aquino.

Personal views: the Lions could have won the game had there been an initiative to do offensive & defensive rebounds by the big men. Also, they opened their defense for SSC-R's 3-pointer to score. A friend thought that keeping Pascual, Hermida and Marcelo in the bench during the crucial minutes of the final quarter also jeopardized their victory.

For more NCAA basketball (& UAAP) updates, please just visit Inbound Pass. And for complete schedule list and results, go HERE.