MANILA – Ralph Penuela impresses in his San Beda University Red Lions debut. They defeated Lyceum Pirates, 81-72, in the NCAA Season 97 on Saturday night at De La Salle Greenhills Gym in San Juan.
The Bacolod City native, a transferee from THE University of the East Red Warriors, tallied 12 markers, three rebounds and three assists to spearhead the offense for the Red Lions.
Penuela, a former standout of Hua Siong College of Iloilo Red Phoenix, displayed his brilliance as one of San Beda’s main point guards following the departure of Evan Nelle.
JB Bahio, for his part, chipped in 12 markers and eight rebounds while rookie Tony Ynot submitted 10 markers for the NCAA Season 95 runner ups San Beda.
After seeing their 19-point lead cut to five by a huge fourth quarter rampage by the Pirates, Bahio stood tall with some clutch conversions as the Red Lions increased the lead to 80-72.
Enoch Valdez tallied 22 markers and eight rebounds to lead the way for the Pirates, while Lorenzo Navarro and Jerwyn Guinto contributed 15 and 10 points, respectively.
Meanwhile, Colegio de San Juan de Letran Knights kicked off its title retention bid with a come-from-behind 67-63 triumph over College of St. Benilde Blazers.
Trailing for most part of the game, the defending champions Knights clawed its way back in the fourth quarter to finally take the lead at 60-58 on a triple by Rhenz Abando.
AJ Benson had a chance to tie the game for the Blazers but missed on three free throws. Pao Javillonar and Mark Sangalang pulled through with back-to-back baskets to seal the win for Letran.
Abando, a transferee from University of Santo Tomas, finished with 19 points and eight rebounds in his debut game for the Knights, while Fran Yu chipped in 12 markers.
BOX SCORE:
SAN BEDA 84 – Penuela 12, Bahio 12, Ynot 10, Kwekuteye 9, Cuntapay 9, Gallego 7, Cometa 5, Andrada 5, Amsali 4, Villejo 4, Alfaro 3, Abuda 2, Viser 1, Jopia 0, Sanchez 0.
LYCEUM 76 – Valdez 22, Navarro 15, Guinto 10, Umali 8, Cunanan 6, Remulla 5, Guadana 2, Lanupay 2, Barba 2, Abadeza 2, Bravo 2, Silvarez 0, Jabel 0, Garro 0.
Quarterscores: 25-18, 41-27, 65-51, 86-74/PN
