San Beda University newcomers got a taste of physical and highly-intense brand of basketball during their game against San Sebastian College-Recoletos on Saturday.
Head coach Yuri Escueta stressed this will not be the first and last time that their new recruits will experience this type of game, calling on his wards to get used to the game and the calls.
"You have to get the ball, you have to want the ball and be strong with it kasi ‘pag lalambot-lambot ka, sabi ko nga sa mga new players na galing UAAP at saka mga rookies, ‘Guys ito na ang welcome to the NCAA niyo’," Escueta said.
"The physicality, the aggression, the energy that you’ll get from the opponents, welcome to the NCAA."
The Red Lions needed to hold off a familiar late rally from the Stags, who banked on their aggressive defense and turned it into a quick offense with Reggz Gabat burying a huge triple in the final 2:11 to cut what was once a 14-point deficit to just three, 73-70.
San Sebastian even forced San Beda to a couple of turnovers through its unforgiving full-court press. Lucky for the defending champions, transferee Bryan Sajonia presided over their 12-5 closing run to put away the gutsy Stags.
"We have to get used to that physicality and it’s something we are aware of and we are expecting, but still iba pa rin ‘pag na-experience ng mga players sa court," Escueta added.
With the win, San Beda is back on track after losing to one of the strongest title contenders this season in De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde last Tuesday.
Incidentally, two newcomers did the lifting for the Red Lions, at least in the final stretch with Sajonia dropping 13 of his career-high 26 points in that juncture while another rookie in Richi Calimag hit a massive three-pointer that sent them to a 79-70 cushion.
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
