MANILA, Philippines – San Beda overpowered Perpetual Help, 9-0, to jumpstart its campaign for a fourth straight championship in Saturday’s start of the 90th NCAA football tournament at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.
Bacolod City native Matthew Asong unleashed a hat-trick, including two in the first half when the Lions built a mighty 5-0 lead.
He added another one on the 57th minute to cap a strong effort that gave San Beda, the reigning three-peat champion, their first victory.
Other goal-scorers for the Lions were Englishman Connor Tacagni andJim Ashley Flores with two apiece and Nimrod Balabat and Mike Daniel Riconalla with one each.
"We were more aggressive," said Christopher Pedimonte, who handled the coaching reins in lieu of long-time mentor Aries Caslib, who is in Singapore coaching the Philippine team in the Singha Cup in Singapore, in Filipino.
Arellano University, last year's runner-up, likewise got off to an impressive start after waylaying Mapua, 7-0.
Robert Corsame went on a scoring spree as he unleashed five goals including two he scored in just one minute starting on the 17th in the first half when the Chiefs took a 2-0 advantage and the initiative.
He scored three more in the second half to finish off the Cardinals.
Jun Sanquillos and Jumar Dexisne accounted for the other two more goals by Arellano to help seal the deal.