Super 6/Six of San Beda Man-Handled The Full Force of Arellano In Their NCAA Season 88 1st Game

By Val Marvin Macanas

The San Beda Red Lions had to play with an incomplete line-up in their first few games in the NCAA Season 88, but it seems that they don't have to worry too much about it. Yeah, it's a bitter pill to swallow but definitely, as what today, June 24, 2012 revealed, it bore sweet fruits in the form of the so called "Super 6." The Super 6 are made of young Red Lions who played Big amidst a seemingly insurmountable complete team, the Arellano University Chiefs who are being coached by the former head coach of San Beda, Coach Koy Banal. They managed to eek out a win in this very difficult first game against the Chiefs.

Jun Bonsubre, Art Dela Cruz, Francis Abarcar, Ritchie Villaruz, Dave Moralde, and Yvan Ludovice A.K.A The Super 6, had to play with extended playing time as the main stalwarts of the Red Lions namely, Rome Dela Rosa, Melo Lim, Kyle Pascual, Baser Amer, Michole Sorela, Anjo Caram, Jaypee Mendoza, Ryusei Koga, and Jake Pascual, were all suspended for 1 game because of the San Beda Brawl that happened last year. Oh, I forgot one player. The Nigerian Ola Adeogun was also suspended for 5 games. From the original 6 game supension, the sanction was lessened to just 5 games.

Let's proceed to the game. The game was dominated by the Arellano Chiefs in the first quarter, leading by as much as 10 points, 18-28. That was because of Rocky Acidre and Larry Malanday. They sank unstoppable numerous three-point bombs. But, 5 minutes before the 1st half ended, 3 Red Lions responded. San Beda came back in the 2nd quarter. They started to find their groove. The 10 point lead of the Chiefs were cut down to just 2 points, 44-42 at the end of the 2nd Quarter.

When the 3rd quarter started, the Chiefs suddenly gone cold. Their good perimeter shooting suddenly turned bad in the 2nd half. The Red Lions suddenly smelled blood and they were able to establish a big run. But the problem is, Bonsubre fouled out with less than 8 minutes left in the 4th Quarter. Coach Ronnie fielded in a new player. He has no more reserve players left and so Abarcar and the rest of the gang just shrugged off their aching muscles, in fact some of them were already showing signs that their muscles are cramping up. But Abarcar and his other teammates never gave up. They refused to lose. In the end their never say die attitude propelled them to a 10 point victory, 81-71.

This win of the Red Lions has proven that they have a deep bench, that they have a great bunch of new recruits, and that Coach Ronnie Magsanoc did an excellent job in instilling in his young recruits the values of hardwork, dedication, and the desire to win.

With regard to the outstanding scorers of this game, Yvan Ludovice scored 18 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists for San Beda, without being substituted.

On the other hand, the notable scorers for Arellano were Rocky Acidre who had 16 points, Larry Malanday who got 14 points, Levi Hernandez with 15 points, and Nard Pinto, with 16 points.