Lions rebound, rout Chiefs

Three-peat champion San Beda swiftly rebounded from a shock loss last week, routing guest team Arellano University, 102-74, yesterday in the 85th NCAA basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan City.

Garvo Lanete led a roaring charge by the Red Lions by unloading 20 points while Borgie Hermida, American Sudan Daniel, Jay-R Taganas, Dave Marcelo and Jake Pascual, backed him up with double-digit outputs as San Beda recovered from a 77-83 setback to the San Sebastian Stags Wednesday.

“We prepared our team to come out strong, we played solid defense against their shooters and broke through their press in the first half,” said San Beda coach Frankie Lim.

The Chiefs, who were paced by Adrian Celada’s 17 points, fell to their first loss after trouncing the Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals and the multi-titled Letran Knights.

Earlier, Angeles University of the Philippines outgunned fellow guest team EAC, 86-75, for its first win in two starts.

Aaron Santos erupted for 29 points he spiked with five triples while Fil-Am Matt Carney made his presence felt in the shaded lane to finish with 24 points and seven rebounds for the Great Danes.

“It’s a good feeling winning our first game in the NCAA,” said AUF coach Eric Gascon, whose team had to travel two hours from Pampanga to play here.

The Generals fell to their second straight defeat.

So dominating were the Lions that they out-rebounded the Chiefs, 57-30, with Taganas, Daniel and Jake Pascual accounting for 31 caroms.

“That’s what we didn’t have in our first loss, rebounding,” said Lim.

Daniel was also an intimidating defensive presence inside as he swatted away a season-high seven shots.

In juniors’ action, San Beda blasted Arellano U, 106-51, to seize the lead with three straight wins.

EAC’s high school team made up for its college counterparts’ loss by smashing AUF, 78-62.