MANILA, Philippines - San Beda overpowered Perpetual Help, 9-0, to jumpstart its campaign for a fourth straight championship in yesterday’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 commanding 5-0 lead.
He added another one on the 57th minute to cap an amazing effort that gave San Beda, the reigning three-peat champion, its first victory.
Other scorers for the Lions were Englishman Connor Tacagni and Jim Ashley Flores with two apiece and Nimrod Balabat and Mike Daniel Riconalla with one each.
“We were more aggressive,” said Christopher Pedimonte, holding the reins for San Beda in lieu of long-time mentor Aries Caslib, who is in Singapore coaching the Philippine team in the Singha Cup.
Arellano University, last year’s runner-up, likewise got off to an impressive start with a 7-0 waylaying of Mapua.
Robert Corsame went on a scoring spree as he unleashed five goals including two inside one minute in the first half when the Chiefs took a 2-0 advantage.
He scored three more in the second half to finish off the Cardinals.
Jun Sanquillos and Jumar Dexisne accounted for the other goals by Arellano to help seal the deal.