MANILA, Philippines – Filipino-American Davon Potts exploded in the fourth quarter to lift San Beda past Letran for a winning debut in the NCAA Season 92 opener on Saturday.

With the Red Lions clinging to a 62-60 lead over their archrivals heading into the fourth quarter, Potts teamed up with Ranbill Tongco to anchor a 13-4 San Beda run that gave them a 75-64 advantage.

And when the Knights threatened a comeback late in the game, Potts was there to help hold them off, scoring a clutch lay-up that made it 86-79 with just 44.8 seconds left.

Potts, a transferee from the California State University in Los Angeles, finished with 16 points, nine of which came in the fourth quarter. He made six of his 15 shots and had four rebounds – three of which came on the offensive end.

"Now, everybody knows him," San Beda coach Jamike Jarin said of his prized recruit after the game.

(READ:

No jitters as San Beda’s Potts shines in NCAA debut

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Potts downplayed his impressive debut, saying: "I've constantly told my teammates that I am just a piece of the puzzle. Everything that I do is contributing to the team success."

He credited his veteran teammates – including Tongco and Javee Mocon – for teaching him how to fit his talents into San Beda's system and explaining to him the physicality of Philippine basketball.

"San Beda has this great winning culture," said Potts, who traces his roots to Rosario, Cavite. "I just want to be a part of it and take the challenge."

Potts immediately found the challenge that he was looking for in his very first game, as the defending champion Knights refused to fold even. He even found himself getting tangled up with Letran's Felix Apreku late in the game, though he brushed it off as a "spur of the moment" thing.

"I don't take anything personally," he said, though Potts also revealed that he has long known about the famed San Beda-Letran rivalry.

"Oh yes, trust me," he said. "I've known the history of Letran and San Beda. It's been going on for years. I know this one was big for us going into the NCAA, and it was just a good confidence-booster for our team as well."

Potts is excited to see how the rest of the season unfolds. "It feels great. It's been a long time, and since day one, my teammates had pushed me and taught me the physicality of the game here in the Philippines," he said.

"I'm just excited… I'm just really excited to be here and be part of the team," he said.

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