San Beda drew strength from American rookie Sudan Daniel as it overpowered Mapua, 85-52, yesterday to jumpstart its four-peat feat
bid in the 85th NCAA basketball tournament at the full-house Araneta Coliseum. Bam Bam Gamalinda fired 14 points but it was the high leaping, 6’8” Daniel who made the biggest impression as he came away with 13 points, nine rebounds, two assists and five blocks that more than made up for the vacuum left by Nigerian Sam Ekwe. “I told him (Daniel) I don’t need the ‘wow things’ from him, all I want him to do is play straight basketball and that’s what he did, he played well,” said San Beda coach Frankie Lim, still mourning the recent death of his father.
The win also served notice of the Lions’ four-peat intention. “It’s a good feeling winning opening games, this is a statement to the
other teams that we’re back and going for a four-peat,” said Lim, who steered the school the last two of its three-peat.

Mark Acosta and Paul Cinco scored 10 points apiece for the Cardinals, who missed the services of 2007 MVP Kelvin dela Pena, Neil Pascual and
Ian Mazo. Earlier, league president Fr. Mat de Jesus officially declared the Season 85 open in elaborate rites highlighted by an unforgettable
production number that what was considered by many as one of the best openers, if not the best, in league history. “It was a fitting kickoff and a colorful preview of what is certain to be the biggest, brightest and most valuable amateur sports league league season of all time,” said de Jesus. “Truly, this year’s NCAA will make its Winning Drive @ 85. And it will win, a victory and a success that we will collectively score because
NCAA, the schools in it, and we, the people who love and support it, deserve nothing less,” he added. Indeed, the opening number, a dazzling aerial show combined with a combination of colorful dance numbers by cheerleaders of all participating schools.

“It was gorgeous,” said guest speaker United States Ambassador Kristie Kenney. Spearheaded by the debuting Daniel, the Lions devoured the Cardinals early by seizing a 27-11 lead at the end of the opening period. The Mendiola-based dribblers sustained that pace in the second canto
and went into the break still comfortably ahead, 39-24. During that stretch, Daniel was already fuming fire by scoring eight points in just 12 minutes while the troika of Garvo Lanete, Dave Marcelo and Riego Gamalinda had seven, six and five points, respectively, in the first half.

The scores:

San Beda 85- Gamalinda 14, Daniel 13, Pascual 11, Lanete 11, Caram 10, Marcelo 8, dela Rosa 4, Hermida 4, Tecson 4, Taganas 2, Tirona 2, Lim 2, Villanueva 0, Soliman 0

Mapua 52- Acosta 10, Cinco 10, Ranesis 7, Guillermo 7, Mangahas 6, Soriano 5, Espinosa 5, Sarangay 1, Cornejo 1, Pascual 0, Maniego 0,
Stevens 0, Parala 0 QS: 27-11; 39-24; 63-37; 85-52