THE SAN BEDA Red Lions extended their winning streak to three after a 76-53 victory against the Arellano University (AU) Chiefs in their second crossover matchup of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Season 101 seniors’ basketball tournament at the FilOil Center yesterday, October 24.
Points off the bench was a highlight for San Beda against the Chiefs, with the second unit of the Red Lions out-scoring Arellano’s bench 40-20.
The opening frame of the contest was a trade of baskets from both squads. The Red Lions broke through at the end of the first quarter, after a Joe Celzo layup before the end of the frame gave San Beda a nine-point advantage heading to the second quarter.
San Beda struggled to maintain the pace of play set by the Chiefs in the second quarter. The six-minute mark of the second quarter saw Arellano bring the game to a 27 all deadlock, erasing San Beda’s lead.
Quickly regaining a three-point lead after MJ Viloces shot from beyond the arc, San Beda nursed their slim advantage until the end of the half. A last-second heave from rookie point guard Jimmy Reyes gave the Mendiola-based squad a 37-31 advantage heading into half time.
Despite playing the third quarter within Arellano’s uptempo pace, the Red Lions still managed to out gun the Chiefs. Second chance points from the Red Lions and multiple defensive stops saw the Red Lions head into the final quarter of play with a 54-41 advantage.
San Beda broke away from the Chiefs in the fourth quarter, with back-to-back triples from Jomel Puno and Janti Miller, the Red Lions earned a 22 point advantage, 66-44, with five minutes remaining in the contest. The Red Lions rode their momentum all the way to the final buzzer, cementing a dominant 76-53 victory over the Arellano Chiefs.
San Beda limited an inspired Arellano squad who came off an upset victory in their previous game against group B contenders the De La Salle – College of Saint Benilde (CSB) Blazers.
T-mc Ongotan of Arellano was restricted to 14 points and 27 percent from the field despite his previous 28 point barrage against the Blazers.
Speaking on limiting T-mc and Arellano’s style of basketball, San Beda Head Coach Yuri Escueta spoke on the difficulty of facing one of the NCAA’s top scorers.
“Mahirap i-gameplan si T-mc. He’s very versatile of course, yung speed niya offensively; he forces steals, he forces you to turn the ball over, and he gets in the fast break,” he said.
“Mahirap depensahin kung ganon kabilis. So, you really have to choose yung matchup niya. Not (playing) one-on-one defense, kailangan team defense talaga kay T-mc.”
The Mendiola-based squad will face the San Sebastian College – Recoletos (SSC-R) Golden Stags at 11:00 am on Sunday, October 26, at the Filoil Center in their quest to maintain top seeding in group B.
Quarter Scores: 22-13, 37-31, 54-41, 76-53
San Beda 76 – Miller 20, Puno 10, Culdora 9, Etulle 8, Reyes 6, Vailoces 6, Lina 4, Celzo 4, Jalbuena 3, Gonzales 2, Calimag 2, Bonzalida 2,
Arellano 53 – Ongotan 14, Cabotaje 10, Libang 7, Valencia 6, Vinoya 4, Anarna 4, Abiera 4, Camay 2, Borromeo 2,