San Beda flexed its championship muscle as it routed host Lyceum of the Philippines, 79-63, Saturday, Sept. 7, that launched its back-to-back title bid in NCAA’s historic Season 100 at the MOA Arena.
Bryan Sajonia, a transferee from Far Eastern U, debuted with a bang by dropping a game-high 18 points in powering the Lions to their first victory that set in motion its campaign of claiming a second crown in a row and a league-best 24 titles.
“Kaya namin kinuha yan dahil dun sa what he can do and knowing Bryan, whatever he can do, gagawin niya talaga,” said San Beda coach Yuri Escueta of his prized wing recruit.
Sajonia was just what the doctors ordered for San Beda after it lost last year’s leader Jacob Cortez to La Salle.
And more than the offense, Sajonia showed defensive tenacity that impressed Escueta.
“Kinuha namin siya knowing his biggest strength is defense, he was able to do his job in guarding their shooters,” Escueta said of Sajonia.
Sajonia was just glad to have made an impact this early in the tournament.
“Masaya kami pero hindi pa naman tapos, marami pa kami aayusin ni coach Yuri,” he said.
Skipper Yukien Andrada likewise came through and drilled in 13 points he spiked with three booming triples.
With the exception of the second quarter when they fell in a stupor, the Lions were just too dominant as they outran and outgunned the Pirates while making the necessary stops when needed.
LPU showed some fight in the second period when it clawed back from double-digit deficits and cut it to 29-33 with around four minutes to go.
It turned out to be its last show of fight as San Beda recovered its bearing and slowly but surely widened the gap and blew the game out of reach.
Earlier, the historic centennial season of the grand old league was ushered in with a production number to remember and league president Atty. Roberto P. Laurel of host LPU.
Also attending the inaugurals were Department of Education Secretary Sonny Angara and a group of notable league alumni headed by LPU’s CJ Perez, part of the Gilas Pilipinas that struck gold in the Hangzhou Asian Games last year.
The scores:
First Game
San Beda 79– Sajonia 18, Andrada 13, Payosing 8, Rc. Calimag 8, Bonzalida 7, Puno 6, Gonzales 5, Songcuya 5, Estacio 3, Jalbuena 2, Celzo 2, Royo 2, Ri. Calimag 2, Tagle 0, Culdora 0
LPU 63– Guadana 22, Barba 13, Villlegas 8, Montano 5, Bravo 5, Cunanan 3, Moralejo 2, Palingayan 2, Aviles 2, Panelo 1, Paulo 0, Paulo 0, Gordon 0, Penafiel 0, Caduyac 0, Daileg 0
Quarterscores: 29-11; 34-29; 49-34; 79-63
