On Friday, the San Beda Red Lions nearly blew a 21-point lead to the JRU Heavy Bombers. Clutch free-throw shooting in the end, however, helped San Beda salvage the 75-71 win. After the game, star wing Aldous Torculas stressed both the importance of continuous adjustments and the need to perform well in the final quarter.
Never-Ending Game of Adjustments
In particular, Torculas believes he himself needs to constantly adjust his on-court approach even as he continues to impress for San Beda in the NCAA Season 102 Men’s Basketball Tournament.
“Siguro for me kasi, basketball is a game of adjustments, and kapag ako nandoon ako sa floor, tina-try ko talagang i-adjust knowing when to score, knowing when to pass the ball, and yeah, ganun lang,” he said.
Against the Heavy Bombers, Torculas contributed 15 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists, 1 steal, and 3 blocks to help the Red Lions improve to 7-3 for the season.
Torculas Knows the Fourth Is the Winning Quarter
Before notching the win, Torculas and the rest of San Beda had a fourth quarter to forget, struggling offensively and scoring only eight points. Such, according to Torculas, isn’t the type of fourth quarter the Red Lions should be getting used to. On the contrary, they should be striving to play their best in this, the winning quarter.
“Sabi nga ni Coach [Yuri Escueta], we need to take care of ‘yung fourth quarter namin dahil ‘yun ‘yung winning quarter talaga. I’m just proud of my boys na stellar ‘yung composure namin, we made the winning plays,” Torculas pointed out.
One of those crucial plays was a Zed Etulle offensive rebound after Torculas missed two free throws down the stretch. Etulle then sank both of his attempts from the charity stripe, helping the Red Lions establish a four-point lead in the final seconds.
On Friday, the Red Lions made just enough plays to survive. Next time around, “just enough” might not cut it anymore, and that is why San Beda needs to make sure it plays well in the winning quarter.
San Beda’s fourth-quarter execution will be tested once again when the Red Lions face the red-hot Mapua Cardinals on Oct. 29.
