CEBU CITY – Developing better chemistry was something that the San Beda Red Lions and the Adamson University Soaring Falcons wanted to achieve when they decided to compete in the Mayor Kirk Asis Open Invitational in Bayugan City, Agusan del Sur.
The two teams are certainly getting what they signed up for, and as an added bonus, they now have a chance to go home with a hefty cash prize.
The Wengburs Apartelle and Ella Store-backed Red Lions and the ARQ Builders-sponsored Falcons arranged a title showdown after they turned in productive showings in Day 2 of the three-day tournament on Friday, June 28, at the Kim Lope Asis Memorial Gymnasium.
San Beda was first to advance to the championship round after it nipped the Vincare Pharma/Emilio Aguinaldo College (EAC) Generals, 66-59.
Though they were still scheduled to play the Bustamante Construction/University of the Visayas (UV) late Friday night, the Red Lions were already assured of a championship ticket after hiking their record to 3-0 (win-loss).
“That’s why we came here so we could familiarize each other and we are improving. A coach can never be satisfied but I love what I am seeing in our games,” said San Beda coach Yuri Escueta.
RC Calimag powered San Beda against EAC with 12 points while Emmanuel Tagle and JC Bunzalida added nine markers each.
Interestingly, one of San Beda’s two other wins came at the expense of Adamson as it beat the Falcons in the opening day on Thursday, 65-64.
The Falcons will have a chance to avenge that sorry loss to the Red Lions after they secured the second championship ticket.
The second day of the competition saw Adamson pull off two crucial wins, beating UV in the morning games, 74-57, before escaping EAC in the afternoon games, 88-84.
The Falcons climbed to 3-1, racking up three straight wins after a faulty start against the Red Lions.
“Our goal was to get games, to improve. This tournament will help us in our development as we prepare for the UAAP,” said Adamson coach Nash Racela.
Against UV, Matthew Montebon led the Falcons with 17 points, while Cedrick Manzano and Jhon Arthur Calisay added 11 and 10 markers, respectively.
It was AJ Franzman’s turn to shine when the Falcons prevailed over the Generals as he finished with a game-high 23 points, 13 coming in the third period.
A cash purse of P300,000 will be at stake when San Beda and Adamson clash for the championship at 3 p.m. on Saturday, June 29. The losing finalist will get P200,000.