IN A TENSE battle for victory, the San Beda Red Lions and the Jose Rizal University (JRU) Heavy Bombers went head-to-head, with the defending champions securing a statement 65-62 win over the tournament’s dark horse in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Season 102 seniors’ basketball tournament last September 26, at the Playtime FilOil Centre.

After their matchup was postponed last September 18 due to unplayable court conditions, the Red Lions and Heavy Bombers finally squared off, trading blows in a relentless battle as neither side backed down.

Entering the game, the defending champions carried a loss against the Heavy Bombers from the FilOil EcoOil Preseason Tournament, where JRU emerged as the tournament’s dark horse and defeated San Beda in the two-game series before finishing as the first runner-up. 

From the opening tip-off, both teams came out with high intensity, taking the pace and aggressiveness to another level and making every shot harder to sink. The Heavy Bombers prevailed in the opening quarter, taking a 19-14 lead.

Coming into the second quarter, the Red Lions shifted their approach, attacking the glass more aggressively and looking for opportunities beyond the arc. The Heavy Bombers, meanwhile, gave the Red Lions a hard time by sinking their three-point shots and countering the Red Lions’ offense, allowing them to control the majority of the quarter. 

Momentum shifted late in the quarter as Aldous Torculas took over in the final two minutes, scoring six straight points to give the Mendiola-based squad the lead heading into halftime, 34-33. 

As the game resumed to the third quarter, the Red Lions continued with the same game plan, looking to shut down the Heavy Bombers’ offense. Still, the dark horse showed why they earned the nickname, battling the champions’ every attempt to pull away as they regained the lead.

The Red Lions did not back down, as Torculas caught fire late in the quarter, knocking down back-to-back three-pointers to give the Mendiola-based squad a four-point lead. The Red Lions and Heavy Bombers battled until the final seconds, ending the quarter knotted at 49-49. 

With the crowd on its  feet and the deafening cheers of both sides filling the venue, the two top-contending teams battled with more than just a win on the line, as the outcome carried significant weight in shaping the course of this season’s basketball tournament. 

The Heavy Bombers made a statement, stifling the Red Lions’ offense and defense, but the champions refused to back down as Torculas led the charge to keep the score within reach. Torculas then delivered a monster alley-oop dunk on an assist from Jimmy Reyes after the Red Lions recovered from an almost-steal by the Heavy Bombers, before sinking another three-pointer to keep the momentum alive.

Down by five with three minutes remaining, freshman sensation and former Red Cub Andrei Ugaddan drilled two clutch three-pointers to spark the Red Lions’ late-game surge. Ugaddan’s timely buckets propelled the Mendiola-based squad into the lead in the final minutes, as the Red Lions held on to secure the 65-62 victory. 

Torculas led the Red Lions in scoring with a season-high 29 points, while Ugaddan chipped in 11 points and posted a team-best +13 plus-minus, the highest on the court.

Red Lions head coach Yuri Escueta praised his team’s effort in a game that carried significance beyond a single victory, saying, “I have to give it to them,” as his game plan continues to revolve around defense, with any offense the team produces serving as a bonus.

Coach Yuri shared his sentiments on talks of the matchup being a potential finals preview, emphasizing that the season still has “a long way to go” and that it is not yet within their thinking, while acknowledging that other strong teams should also be considered in the conversation.

With the Red Lions now up 2-1, the Mendiola-based squad looks to build on its momentum as it sets its sights on another championship campaign, facing the Mapúa University (MU) Cardinals on September 28. 

Quarter Scores: 19-14, 34-33, 49-49, 65-62

San Beda 65 – Torculas 29, Ugaddan 11, Marcelo 5, Etulle 5, Estacio 4, Hawkins, 4, Puno 3, Reyes 2, Lina 2

JRU 62 – Hubilla 14, Eligado 13, Salvador 11, Mangubat 10, Garcia 6, Laurenaria 3, Garupil 3, Palis 2