Lions roar back, Knights stay spotless

MANILA, Philippines — The NCAA’s sleeping giant has awoken.

Defanged in a season-opening defeat, the San Beda Lions came roaring back and devoured the Lyceum Pirates, 83-74, yesterday to get their title-defense back on track in NCAA Season 102 at the Filoil Center.

The reigning titlist was a team on a mission on this one and just dominated LPU from start to finish as it sealed its first win following that stinging defeat to St. Benilde last Sept. 13 at the MOA Arena.

Lawrence Hawkins, a Tagalog-speaking Fil-Am from Iriga, Camarines Sur, did the heavy lifting and finished with 13 points on top of 12 rebounds, two steals and the same number of blocks.

“Hindi ko napansin scores ko, nagtulungan lang kami. Hindi ko din magagawa ito kung hindi nasunod sistema,” said the hardworking 6-3 banger.

It was a dominating performance for the Lions, who led by as much as 17 points, 63-46, late in the third quarter.

The Pirates somehow showed resistance in the final period and continued to chip in at that huge lead but the Lions just always had the answer in shutting the door against the former to preserve the win.

San Beda coach Yuri Escueta was quick to point at their big first quarter as the key.

“It’s nice to get our first win and I think we played much better in the first quarter,” said Escueta, referring to that 33-point outburst in the opening canto.

The Pirates, mentored by former San Beda coach Jamike Jarin, dropped to 1-2.

In the other game, Letran downed Emilio Aguinaldo College, 91-80, to seize the Group B lead with a perfect 3-0 slate.

The Generals remained winless in three outings.