MANILA – San Beda University Red Lions leaned on a strong second half rampage to take down Arellano University Chiefs, 76-63, in the NCAA Season 98 men’s basketball on Wednesday at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City.
James Kwekuteye paved the way with 16 points, four rebounds, and an assist. John Bahio had double-double of 10 markers and 14 boards, while Justine Sanchez ended with 10 points as the Red Lions improved to 8-4 slate.
From a close game in the opening half, the Red Lions turned things around in the third quarter with a 29-14 scoring blast for a 64-45 advantage on a midrange jumper by Joshua Tagala.
San Beda’s advantage went on to grow to as much as 25 points at 70-45 after a Bahio basket right at the 7:45 mark of the fourth quarter before the Chiefs came up with late baskets to make the final score respectable.
“We’ll take the win but, I still wanna get more from the guys,” said Red Lions head coach Yuri Escueta. “It’s just I think that we played through Arellano’s pace and it’s my big challenge to them ‘yung just mentally be the aggressor.”
Axel Doromal finished with 12 points, three rebounds, and three assists, while Wilmar Oftana contributed 11 markers, five boards and three steals as the Chiefs dropped to 5-7.
Meanwhile, Mapua University Cardinals leaned on the second half exploits of Juaqui Garcia to score a 74-49 domination over Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers in a highly-physical encounter.
Clinging to a 38-31 advantage at the half, the Cardinals broke the game wide open from third quarter onwards behind the offensive outbursts of Garcia to lead by as much as 25 points.
Garcia finished with 17 points on 62.5 percent shooting beyond the arc, along with two rebounds, and two assists, while Adrian Nocum and Warren Bonifacio added 12 and 10 markers, respectively, as the Cardinals improved to 5-9.
Jonathan Medina ended with 15 points and five boards, while Marwin Dionisio had 12 points, seven rebounds, and two assists as the Heavy Bombers slumped to 5-5 win-loss slate.
BOX SCORE:
SAN BEDA 76 –– Kwekuteye 16, Bahio 10, Sanchez 10, Cortez 7, Alfaro 6, Payosing 6, Cuntapay 6, Tagala 5, Andrada 4, Ynot 2, Visser 2, Jopia 1, Cometa 1, Alloso 0, Tagle 0.
ARELLANO 63 — Doromal 12, Oftana 11, Sunga 10, Mallari 9, Mantua 8, Advincula 5, Oliva 3, Talampas 3, Tan 2, Domingo 0, Tolentino 0, Antonio 0, Ongotan 0, Menina 0.
Quarterscores: 15-13, 34-31, 63-45, 76-63./PN
