Potts shines anew as Lions outlast Pirates

Games Thursday

(The Arena, San Juan)

9 a.m. – CSB vs Mapua (Jrs)

10:45 a.m. – LPU vs San Beda (Jrs)

12:30 p.m. – JRU vs Perpetual (Jrs)

2:15 p.m. – Arellano vs San Sebastian (Jrs)

4 p.m. – Letran vs EAC (Jrs)

Games Friday

(The Arena, San Juan)

12 p.m. – Arellano vs San Sebastian (Srs)

2 p.m. – St. Benilde vs Letran (Srs)

4 p.m. – Jose Rizal vs Perpetual Help (Srs)

MANILA, Philippines – Fil-Am Davon Potts showed his strong opening day game was no fluke as he came out clutch again to lift San Beda to a 91-86 victory over upset-conscious Lyceum of the Philippines U yesterday to remain on top in the 92nd NCAA basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan City.

A few days after dropping 16 points in an 89-85 win over defending champion Letran in Saturday's inaugurals at the MOA Arena in Pasay City, Potts exploded with a team-best 19 points, 12 of which came in the fourth quarter to help seal the Lions their second straight victory.

After blowing a 13-point first half lead, the Lions went down by two points in the final two minutes twice. But the former player from US NCAA Division II Cal State responded with a basket to tie it and a triple to give San Beda the lead for good.

"We had a chance to pull away but Lyceum just kept coming back and making shots even if they were guarded to snatch the lead," said San Beda coach Jamike Jarin. "Good thing we made some key shots in the end."

It also produced other heroes.

Team captain Roldan Sara had 14 points, five rebounds, five assists and two steals while Donald Tankoua and Arnaud Noah combined for 22 points and 12 boards.

Javee Mocon followed up his team-high 18-point effort in their first game by finishing with 11 points, 13 caroms, four assists and a block.

It was, however, Potts who shone the brightest.

"I'm just here to contribute and help my team win," said the 23-year-old Potts, who was born and raised in Los Angeles, California whose Filipina mother is from Rosario, Cavite.

The Pirates, who were led by Wilson Baltazar's game-best 24 points, fell to their second straight defeat.

Earlier, Letran bounced back from its heartbreaking setback to San Beda by turning back a feisty Emilio Aguinaldo, 76-72, to nail its first win.

Rey Nambatac unleashed a career-high 33 points while John Quinto scattered 17 points to lead the Knights.

"It was an ugly win, but we will take it," said Letran coach Jeff Napa.

The Generals, who were paced by Hamadou Laminou's 23 points, 18 rebounds and four blocks, fell to their first defeat in two starts.

The scores:

First Game

Letran 76 – Nambatac 33, Quinto 17, Balanza 7, Sollano 6, Apreku 4, Calvo 4, Balagasay 2, Luib 2, Dela Pena 1, Ambohot 0, Bernabe 0, Sario 0, Vacaro 0

EAC 72 – Laminou 23, King 14, Munsayac 14, Morada 10, Onwubere 4, Pascua 3, Corilla 2, Diego 2, Aguas 0, Estacio 0, Guzman 0, Mendoza 0, Neri 0, Serrano 0

Quarterscores: 15-10; 26-24; 41-34; 62-51; 76-72

Second Game

San Beda 91 – Potts 19, Sara 14, Noah 12, Mocon 11, Tankoua 10, Bolick 8, Presbitero 7, Navarro 2, Soberano 2, Adamos 0, Carlos 0, Optana 0

LPU 86 – Baltazar 24, Nzeusseu 18, Ayaay 12, Marata 11, Alanes 9, Serafico 4, Alban 4, Bulawan 2, Soliman 2, Malabanan 0, Magbuhos 0

Quarterscores: 20-16; 42-40; 64-all; 91-86