The defending champion Blazers went through a wringer before surviving the Red Lions, 103-98, in overtime yesterday in the NCAA basketball tournament at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.
"As what I’ve said, no team is easy to beat this season. And our game against San Beda, a team almost everybody is counting out, somehow proved me right," said Vergeire as his Blazers narrowly defeated the Lions to grab a share of the lead with the Jose Rizal Heavy Bombers with identical 2-0 slates.
Mark Magsumbol and Sunday Salvacion delivered the crucial baskets in overtime to clinch their second win following a 71-65 decision over the Letran Knights in the tournament inaugurals last week.
The Knights bounced back from that defeat with an 89-71 rout of the Philippine Christian Dolphins in the second game.
San Beda, now playing under coach Rene Baena, suffered its first defeat after stunning PCU, 93-85, also on opening day.
In juniors play, it was La Salle-Greenhills over San Beda, 66-63, in overtime and Letran over PCU, 59-42. – Joey Villar