MARINERONG Pilipino-San Beda University offered a peak of its strength and made short work of Go-Torrakku-St. Clare yesterday.
The Red Lions dismantled Go Torrakku-St. Clare 92-59 to launch their redemption bid with a bang in the PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup at The Arena in San Juan.
San Beda held its foe to only six points in the second quarter to build a massive 21-point separation at the turn and never looked back for a roaring start in the six-team field.
Newcomer Bryan Sajonia, who used to play for Far Eastern University, fired 12 points to lead a balanced attack for the troops of coach Yuri Escueta, who topped the D-League eliminations last season only to be swept by back-to-back champion EcoOil-La Salle in the finals.
Jomel Puno and skipper Yukien Andrada added 12 markers apiece, Emmanuel Tagle had 11, while another transferee, Penny Estacio, from La Salle, and NCAA finals MVP James Payosing chipped in eight each.
“We’re getting there. We’re still adjusting to being able to mix iyong new and old guys. Itong D-League is part of the process for us preparing for the NCAA next season,” Escueta said.
“Ito ang first tournament namin together. There are a lot of things to watch and improve on and that’s a good thing moving forward,” he added.
Dealing with the departure of ace guard Jacob Cortez to La Salle, San Beda started flat against a determined St. Clare side with only a five-point lead after the opening quarter before breaking the game wide open.
A 22-6 barrage, after a close 19-14 count, punctuated by Puno’s completed three-point play made it a 41-20 gap and the Red Lions cruised from there, leading by as much as 43 points at 79-36.
