San Beda Red Lions braces for tough PCCL semis

After defeating the Growling Tigers for a 77-68 victory on Saturday, the San Beda Red Lions cannot afford to relax as they will march in the semifinals of the 2020 Philippine Collegiate Champions League (PCCL).

Red Lions team manager Jude Roque said that in preparation for the next tournament, the Red Lions would study closely their scouting report and would study the play of their opponents to stop their usual plays.

“Wala naman kami masyadong babaguhin, we will just study the scouting report and then we will see kung ano ang pwedeng game plan against a particular opponent so I understand we are playing UP sa next game namin, we will have to study their game and see how we can try to stop their usual plays,” he said.

“Si Coach Boyet is very good in scouting and is very particular our defense so yun naman ang pagaaralan namin kung paano dedepensehan ang UP. Of course UP has many very good scorers, talented players so mahirap talaga kalaban so we will just have to play as a team,” he added.

The Red Lions’ defense was the key in eliminating the Growling Tigers in the PCCL held at Filoil Flying V Centre on Saturday.

 “Yung defense namin maganda kanina kasi we were able to execute the defensive game plan as well kasi we prepared for UST, we study their game, we gave the players yung scouting report at nasunod naman nila, yun ang naging key,” he said.

“Usually ang UST they are a very good offensive team pero kanina I guess they struggled because we were able to execute our events and game plan well but also nakatulong yung best scorer nila si Renz Abando hindi siya nakalaro,” he added.

However, Roque said that three of its players were not able to practice for the Saturday game because they were under the weather—including Calvin Oftana who is their Most Valuable Player in the NCAA 95 Men’s Basketball Tournament.

Oftana wound up with six points, four rebounds, and three assists during the Saturday's game.

“Hiindi rin maganda ang nilaro niya kasi hindi siya nakapagensayo kahapon at saka hindi pa siya totally magaling, may konti pa siyang lagnat,” he said.

 “Since some of our players are not feeling, well the other guys stepped up naman, yung mga bench players nagtop today, I’m very happy we played as a team,” Roque said.

Roque also said he was thankful because they have another opportunity to play again after defeating the Tigers. However, he said that their next games against Ateneo and University of the Philippines will be “tough.”

“Nakaw game yung kanina if we had lost, out na kami but since we won may chance pa buhay pa kami, it feels really good but of course yung next phase ng tournament will be really tough kasi number one yung Ateneo dun and we haven’t won against them tapos yung UP malakas din yun tapos yung champions sa VisMin so mabigat yung tatahakin namin but at least we are still alive,” he said.

The Red Lions will face the University of the Philippines in the semifinals on March 7 at Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.

Photo is from San Beda Red Lions