There's a new marquee matchup brewing in the NCAA and it's called the Jomel Puno-Kevin Santos show.
The two high-flying athletic big men spiced up the intense rivalry duel of San Beda University and Colegio de San Juan de Letran on Tuesday as they both hammered out career-high outings to pace their respective squads.
And it showed how playing against each other brought out the best in them.
"He’s a really smart player. After he sets screens, he’s able to read where the defense is, that's why he’s always getting open," Puno shared.
"I feel like that match-up made him better, it made me better."
But it was Puno who got the better of Santos as the Red Lions eked out a 66-64 victory to regain their winning ways and improve to 4-3 after bowing to Arellano University last Saturday in a shocking fashion.
The 6-foot-6 Puno churned out a career-best 22 points alongside 10 rebounds and two assists while also guarding the red-hot Santos, who finished with a career-high as well, posting 18 markers, nine boards, three dimes, and three blocks.
And while his team got away with the victory, Puno tipped his hat to Santos for making his life difficult all game long.
"There’s really not that many bigs that can move like that, especially when he’s guarding me he was able to buckle on the shots that I thought he couldn’t reach ‘cause I’m not used to that," the second-year Puno added.
For Santos' part, he stressed that he just played his usual game.
"Nakipagsabayan lang din ako sa kanya, alam din naman natin na athletic si Puno. Sumunod lang din ako sa sistema ni Coach Allen and malaki rin ang tiwala ko kay Coach Allen," the third-year banger told GMA News Online.
[I just tried to match him, we all know Puno is very athletic. I followed the system of Coach Allen and I have a lot of trust in Coach Allen.]
Santos also said that his duel with Puno may benefit the league moving forward, especially since it has been a long time since the Letran and San Beda communities saw a match-up between two local big men from the two archrival schools.
"Siguro makakatulong ‘yun sa league kasi magandang laban din ‘yung nangyari kanina lalo na ‘yung sa aming dalawa. Talagang kiskisan eh," Santos added.
"Nagsasabayan kaming dalawa and parang nabigyan ng challenge."
[I guess it could be good for the league because we put on a good fight earlier, especially between the two of us. It was really physical. We matched each other well and we gave each other a challenge.]
WATCH
—JMB, GMA Integrated News
