MANILA – San Beda University Red Lions spoiled the debuts of Ricci Rivero and Kobe Paras with University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons with a 75-65 beating in 2019 FilOil Flying V Preseason Cup on Sunday at the San Juan Arena.
Donald Tankoua led the way with 24 points, including two rare three-point baskets, to go along with 11 rebounds for the reigning NCAA men’s basketball champions Red Lions.
James Canlas chipped in 13 markers apiece, while Evan Nelle and JB Bahio had seven points each for the Red Lions, which are gunning for their third FilOil basketball championship.
The Red Lions set the tone early in the game but the Fighting Maroons were not left behind on conversions from Rivero and Paras but UP struggled when Rivero was fouled out in the third period.
That was the opportunity used by the Red Lions to create distance from the Fighting Maroons for good as the advantage reached its largest at 67-56 on a three-pointer by Tankoua.
“We really expected a tough game. We considered UP as one of the stronger teams right now because of their recruits. Sayang wala ‘yung Gomez de Liano brothers,” said San Beda head coach Boyet Fernandez.
Rivero and Paras finished with 18 markers apiece, while James Spencer added 14 markers for the Lady Maroons, which were missing a number of its key players in the match.
Meanwhile, De La Salle University Green Archers relied on the torrid shooting of Andrei Caracut as they turned back University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers, 72-49./PN
