San Beda University sent a statement in its title defense kickoff, dominating Lyceum of the Philippines University, 79-63, in the NCAA Season 100 men’s basketball opener on Saturday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Starting their post-Jacob Cortez era, the Red Lions asserted their dominance early before riding on a stronger second half to annihilate the Pirates, whom they defeated twice in the semifinals en route to title last year.
They are now at 1-0 in the double-round robin elimination round while the Pirates fell to 0-1.
Transferee Bryan Sajonia ran the show for the defending champions, churning out a team-high 18 points on 3-of-5 from the three-point area alongside five rebounds, two assists, and one block to prove his worth for San Beda.
Veteran Yukien Andrada made sure to supply the support with 13 markers, six boards, and one dime while Season 99 Finals MVP chipped in eight points, four rebounds, and three assists.
With Sajonia leading the floor, San Beda was able to quickly establish a 20-point lead early in the second quarter only for LPU to trim it down to four, 33-29, after a 13-0 rampage.
Despite this, the Red Lions regrouped and ended the half with a 44-29 cushion.
It was all San Beda in the second half as the wards of head coach Yuri Escueta unleashed three triples from Jomel Puno, rookie JC Bonzalida, and RC Calimag for their biggest lead at 75-52.
Bonzalida then sealed the win with another back-to-back baskets.
"I'm just happy na we were able to perform what we practiced, 'yung game plan namin,"Escueta said in the post-game presser.
"We knew that LPU was gonna give it their 100 percent so masaya ako na kahit papaano nasalo namin 'yung bugso nila, especially nu'ng second quarter."
Fourth-year guard Mclaude Guadaña paced LPU with a career-high 22 points together with nine rebounds, one assist, and one steal while John Barba added 13 markers.
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
