Filoil Flying V Preseason Cup Morning Rundown: San Beda gives us a reminder of who's king

(Photo Credit: Filoil Flying V Sports)

When you talk about NCAA teams in the Filoil Flying V Preseason Tournament, the Lyceum Pirates and the JRU Heavy Bombers are the ones who have stood out thus far.

The Heavy Bombers have shown that they're a team worth keeping an eye on after their opening day upset victory against the heavily favored De La Salle Green Archers. Ever since that victory, they've performed admirably led by their big gun in Teytey Teodoro. 

The Pirates have started to receive comparisons to the Letran Knights team that surprised everyone during NCAA Season 92 thanks to their unorthodox press, and their high-octane attack. They've been extremely tough to stop, and a big reason for that is none other than the Baby Beast himself CJ Perez. 

As both teams continue to make noise, all of a sudden, a loud roar is heard. The Heavy Bombers and the Pirates stand still. San Beda emerges and tells both teams as if they're Madison Montgomery from American Horror Story, "Surprise, bitch. I bet you thought you'd seen the last of me." 

Fresh off its trip in the US, San Beda reminded everyone who's king courtesy of a 96-79 beatdown of the Lyceum Pirates for their first game of the Filoil Flying V Preseason Cup. They did it the San Beda way, scoring with ease against a defense that was left looking for answers, and with everyone on the team contributing to the cause of the Red Lions. 

Robert Bolick, Javee Mocon and AC Soberano were able to provide their usual numbers. But it was the performances of guys like KMark Carino and Clint Doliguez, both newcomers, that should get San Beda fans excited. You already have the Chickenjoy with the core of Bolick, Mocon and Soberano. Now you add in the gravy with the depth of San Beda. What you get is an absolute masterpiece.

Lyceum and JRU will continue to have its fun. But the first game of the Red Lions in the Filoil tournament should serve as a stern reminder to the rest of the king that before they go ahead and proclaim themselves as NCAA's best, they have to go through the king of the jungle first.

Let's proceed with the rundown.

Wednesday Scores

San Beda Red Cubs def. Lyceum Junior Pirates 88-76

Perpetual Help Atlas def. UE Red Warriors 72-68

San Beda Red Lions def. Lyceum Pirates 96-79

UP Fighting Maroons def. EAC Generals 61-59

The Rundown

1. It wasn't just the Red Lions who managed to eke out a win, as their little brothers also beat Lyceum in Juniors Basketball action. The Red Cubs are on a mission to reclaim that NCAA Juniors title after their loss against Mapua last season.

2. Evan Nelle has been brilliant this preseason. He's been making better decisions with the basketball, and he's really improved at being a point guard. Nelle is on track to reclaiming that status of being a blue-chipper.

3. Erlan Umpad is an interesting case to look at forward. He managed to put up a near triple-double of 8 points, 9 rebounds and 6 BLOCKS. He's likely not near Kai Sotto territory just yet in terms of being a long-term prospect (okay, no one is when you think about it), but there's promise here.

4. The UE and Perpetual game felt really sad. These are two teams who are giving it their all, but the sad reality of it is that they don't have the personnel to contend in their respective leagues. You have to admire the fight in them though.

5. Lyceum actually kept it close in the first half versus the Red Lions. It just so happened that come the second half, San Beda flipped the switch and called game.

6. If there's a hole in San Beda's roster, it has to be the point guard position. There's no one in the team built to play the 1, so Robert Bolick is forced to act as their main playmaker. They had a ton of trouble with the press of Lyceum, committing a whopping 28 turnovers.

7. UP managed to escape against the EAC Generals, but there's very little reason to be pleased with how they performed. With how they're being hyped, they should have won this game with ease. That wasn't the case though, as it required a last second shot by Diego Dario to get the win. Plenty of work to be done for the Fighting Maroons.

8. One of the few reasons why a UP fan should be pleased is because of Juan Gomez de Liano. He hasn't received that much touches since Paul Desiderio is still the guy for the Fighting Maroons, but he's been a joy to watch nonetheless. Put up a cool 9-8-3 line against the Generals.

9. Your boy was over at CNN Sports Desk last night to talk about Filoil action. Go check it out!