Lions trip Knights in roaring opener

MANILA, Philippines - Davon Potts proved to be a gem of a find for San Beda, with the Fil-Am guard making a remarkable debut as a Red Lion as they topped the reigning champion Letran Knights, 89-85, in the opener of the 92nd NCAA basketball tournament at the MOA Arena in Pasay City yesterday.

Potts, a 23-year-old guard who transferred from US NCAA Division II team Cal State, scored 16 points including nine in the fourth quarter to lead the Lions to a triumphant season start versus the team that ended their NCAA reign last year.

“Now everybody knows him,” said San Beda coach Jamike Jarin of Potts, a Fil-Am whose mother is from Rosario, Cavite.

Potts said the key in his impressive NCAA debut was knowing his role.

“I’m personally told I am just a piece of the puzzle. Everything I do is contributing to the team’s success. The veterans all taught me to fit the mold because San Beda has a winning culture and I just want to be part of it,” said Potts.

Riding the crest of their solid pre-season, the Lions showed a lethal form despite the departure of key players Ola Adeogun, Baser Amer, Arthur dela Cruz and Ryusei Koga.

Jarin, however, said he was impressed with how the Knights played even with the exit of coach Aldin Ayo to La Salle and stalwarts Kevin Racal and Mark Cruz.

“Letran, they’re going to be a force to reckon with. They lost two players, we lost five so they’re going to be a very good team this season,” said Jarin.

Two other Lions stepped up in the game played before a good crowd in the Pasay venue.

Jayvee Mocon set the pace for San Beda early on and finished with a team-high 18 points while Radge Tongco came off the bench and scored all his nine points in the fourth quarter.

“We always go all out whichever team we face but we’re more motivated if it’s Letran,” said the 21-year-old Mocon.

The Lions led by 13 points several times but the Knights kept coming back, knotting the count at 60-all on a pair of foul shots by Bong Quinto shortly before the end of the third.

AC Soberano drained two free throws to give the Lions a 62-60 edge at the end of the third canto, then Potts, Tongco and Mocon took over in the payoff period.

Earlier, the league honored the late great Carlos Loyzaga as his jersey No. 14 was retired by San Beda in emotional rites.

NCAA president and San Beda rector Fr. Aloysius Maranan declared the games open.

“We’re expecting nothing less than an exciting season,” said Maranan.

In the other game, Mapua, behind a good all-around game of Allwell Oraeme, drubbed Jose Rizal U, 74-71.

Oraeme put in a game-high 24 points for the Cardinals who shrugged off a sluggish start and stayed right behind the Heavy Bombers before taking command at the finish.