DOWN 10 POINTS, the San Beda Red Lions defended their way back in their fourth game in the crossover eliminations to beat the University of Perpetual Help System DALTA (UPHSD) Altas, 71-63, in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Season 102 seniors’ basketball tournament at the Playtime Filoil Centre last October 8.
The Red Lions found themselves in a hole early in the matchup, with Juan Tulabut and Aries Borja of the Perpetual Altas outplaying the Mendiola-based squad to a 20-15 first-quarter lead, and a 5-0 opening run in the second pushed the Altas ahead, 25-15.
Every attempt to build offensive momentum ended in a rough patch, forcing the Red Lions to rely on their defense. They locked down Perpetual with an 18-9 run to trim the deficit to one, 33-34, at halftime.
Red Lions Head Coach Yuri Escueta expressed optimism about the team’s defensive performance, saying they were “very positive because of the way we were playing defense,” stressing that defense remained the team’s primary focus, with offense serving as a bonus.
The Mendiola-based squad stormed out of the break with an 11-0 blast for a 44-34 lead, its biggest of the night. Perpetual crept back to 55-50 by the end of the third, but the Red Lions shut the door in the fourth, holding the Altas to 13 points while scoring 16 of their own.
Jomel Puno delivered his breakout performance of the season, leading the defending champions with 15 points on 6-of-9 shooting from the field to earn Player of the Game honors. San Beda outscored Perpetual by 21 points during his 25 minutes on the floor.
Still working his way back from a knee injury suffered early in the season, Puno said Coach Yuri kept reminding him to play harder, emphasizing that “offense will come, but it starts on the defensive end.”
Kyle Jamora gave San Beda a spark off the bench with 14 points, including four three-pointers. Team captain RC Calimag added 12 and made all four of his free throws. Aldous Torculas scored nine points to go with a game-high eight rebounds and six assists.
With their third straight victory, the Red Lions improved to 5-2 in the crossover eliminations, as Coach Yuri stressed the importance of sustaining their momentum one game at a time, noting that “every win is important, especially because it’s hard to win games in the NCAA.”
Quarter scores: 15-20, 33-34, 55-50, 71-63
San Beda 71 – Puno 15, Jamora 14, Calimag 12, Torculas 9, Reyes 6, Marcelo 5, Hawkins 4, Lina 3, Etulle 3
Perpetual 63 – Tulabut 14, Borja 9, Cruz 8, Gelsano 7, Maglupay 6, Orgo 6, Casinillo 6, Duremdes 5, Corpuz 1, Cristino 1
(with Eunice Karen Buccat)