San Beda University chalked up its fourth straight victory after an 86-72 victory over Emilio Aguinaldo College in Season 99 National Collegiate Athletic Association men’s basketball tournament yesterday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
Jacob Cortez once again led the way for the Red Lions after scoring 17 points as they tightened their hold for second spot with a 7-2 win-loss record.
San Beda pulled away at the start of the third quarter, thanks to a 5-0 spurt that was capped by a fadeaway jumper from James Payosing with nine minutes and 13 seconds on the clock and never looked back.
At the end of that same quarter, Damie Cuntapay gave the Lions their biggest lead of the game as he drained a triple at the buzzer for a 72-52 advantage.
Despite the position in the standings, San Beda head coach Yuri Escueta still reminds his wards that the work continues for them once the Lions’ second-round campaign starts on 29 October against San Sebastian College.
“It’s a good win but we still have one more round,” Escueta said.
“We keep on grinding and get better in practice for the second round, which I’m sure is tough. We just need to improve every game.”
Yukien Andrada scored 14 points for San Beda while Clifford Joipa had a double-double game for the Lions with 11 points behind a perfect 4-of-4 shooting clip and pulled 11 rebounds.
Rookie Jomel Puno also had a double-double for San Beda with 11 points and 12 rebounds.
Ralph Robin led all scorers with 22 points in a losing effort as the Generals slipped to a 5-4 record at fifth place at the end of the first round.
In the second game, College of Saint Benilde defeated defending champion Letran College, 68-55.
Migs Oczon scored all of his 15 points in the second half as the Blazers capped the first round tied at fifth with EAC.
Deo Cuajao scored 11 points as the Knights dropped dead last in the 10-man tournament with a 1-8 win-loss record.
