BOUNCING BACK from their first defeat, the San Beda Red Lions vented its ire on a hapless Emilio Aguinaldo College (EAC) Generals, 81-64, in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Season 101 seniors’ basketball tournament at the FilOil EcoOil Center last October 14.
The Lions opened the game with a tip to Jimmy Reyes, followed closely by a three-point shot that gave the Red Lions an early 3-0 start. The Generals retaliated immediately with a layup shot, bringing the opening score to 3-2 in the first moments of the contest. Successive throws from Bryan Sajonia and Jomel Puno created a gap early on at 11–6.
San Beda’s disciplined half-court offense forced EAC to collapse inside, freeing up mid-range looks that Sajonia and Puno capitalized on. Struggling to contain San Beda’s size advantage in the paint, the first quarter closed with the Lions ahead, 21–14.
Momentum carried into the second quarter as the Mendiola-based squad continued to attack the General’s defense, as Penny Estacio brought the advantage to a 16-point lead, 33-17.
Despite EAC’s attempts to regroup, the Red Lions’ defensive coverage limited open looks and forced turnovers. A late from Nygel Gonzales sent the Red Lions into halftime comfortably ahead, 45–28.
Coming out of the break, San Beda exploded with the same energy as Nygel Gonzales expanded the lead to 19 before being put off by Wilmar Oftana of the Generals, 50-34. San Beda resumed their pummeling as Bismarck Lina added onto the lead through a series of layups and three successful free throws, 61-39, putting the Red Lions up by 22.
The Generals converted late in the period to momentarily stall the surge, but San Beda’s composure held firm as they entered the final quarter ahead, 65–46.
The Red Lions controlled the pace in the closing minutes, ensuring steady ball distribution as the clock wound down. Agjanti Miller drained a triple to make it 72–50, while EAC failed to mount a late-game push. As EAC failed to find any openings against San Beda, the Red Lions secured an 81-64 finish by the final buzzer.
“I have to give it to the boys, how they executed our game plan, they really followed the game plan namin and they really wanted this comeback win, coming off a tough loss,” said head coach Yuri Escueta.
The Red Lions face Season 100 champions Mapua University (MU) Cardinals in their first crossover matchup later at 2:30 p.m. on Friday, October 17, at the same venue.
Quarter Scores: 21–14, 45–28, 65–46, 81–64
San Beda 81 – Miller 14, Puno 12, Etulle 11, Gonzales 10, Andrada 9, Reyes 7, Estacio 5, Lina 5, Sajonia 5, Calimag 3
Emilio Aguinaldo 64 – Oftana 9, Quinal 9, Bagay 8, Omandac 7, Angeles 7, Castillo 6, Tolentino 6, Postanes 5, Doria 2, Ochavo 2, Shanoda 2, Loristo 1
(with Rozetti Jena De Leon)