Mendoza: Woe to Banal as Magsanoc deals him loss
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Monday, June 25, 2012
THE feat achieved on Sunday by the San Beda Red Lions was one for the books.
It was the first game for the Lions in the 88th staging of the NCAA, the oldest basketball league for colleges and universities in the country.
Even before the first whistle was blown, the Lions were doomed.
Why, because San Beda had only six players on the bench.
Why, because eight of San Beda’s 15 players were serving one-game suspensions for involvement in a sideline brawl last year during a San Beda-San Sebastian volleyball women’s game.
Why, because one of San Beda’s 15 players was serving a four-game suspension for involvement in the same ruckus: Ola Adeogun, the towering African center for the Lions.
As I was saying, San Beda had only six players and the six were up against a full complement of 12 Chiefs from Arellano University.
Expectedly, after one quarter, the Chiefs were up 28-21.
After two quarters, Arellano’s lead was cut to 44-42 in spite of the fact the Chiefs nailed 10 triples in the first two quarters.
What is this, a joke?
Not funny.
After three quarters, the Lions found themselves on top, 63-54.
What is this, a farce?
Not funny.
With still seven minutes left to play in the game, the already depleted Lions were reduced to only five as Antonio Bonsubre had fouled out.
The remaining Lions were Yvan Ludovice, Jon Villaruz, Francis Abarcar, Art Dela Cruz and Dave Moralde.
But look at this: San Beda would next build margins of 12 points consistently.
Arellano did manage to get to within five but then, San Beda’s determination pushed the Lions to a 75-68 lead down the stretch en route to that 81-71 final count.
I couldn’t remember the last time I saw a team win like this, either in the NCAA or UAAP. Or even in the PBA.
It’s just bizarre.
My heart goes out to Koy Banal, the rookie Chiefs coach.
And Banal and Magsanoc used to be together as assistant coaches at B-MEG under Ryan Gregorio.
Koy remains at B-MEG. Ronnie is now with Meralco under head coach Gregorio himself.
And what about this?
San Beda’s six players on Sunday were mere “third stringers.”
Tickle me some more.
Published in the Sun.Star Cebu newspaper on June 26, 2012.
Sports
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