MANILA, Philippines – San Beda made sure not to leave anything to chance.
After a shocking loss to Emilio Aguinaldo College in the first round, the San Beda Red Lions bullied their way to a 30-point triumph, 89-59, over the Generals to inch closer to a Final Four spot in the NCAA Season 100 men’s basketball tournament on Wednesday, November 6, at the FilOil EcoOil Centre.
Emman Tagle and Bismark Lina came through from inside and out by firing 20 and 18 points, respectively, as the defending champions nailed their 10th win against five defeats and secured at least a playoff for a semis berth.
The third-running Lions stand behind the St. Benilde Blazers (12-2) and the Mapua Cardinals (12-3), who already both claimed their Final Four seats.
San Beda only needs to win one of its final three games against Letran, St. Benilde, or San Sebastian to claim a spot.
“This win is very importance to our confidence,” said San Beda coach Yuri Escueta.
It was sweet revenge for San Beda, which succumbed to EAC when the two first collided in the first round, 68-55, last September 17.
That stunner gave the Generals their first win over the Red Lions for the first time in 15 years, snapping a 27-game losing streak.
The difference for the Lions this game was they have an additional big body inside in the bullstrong Lina, who had to skip most of the first round to fully recover from injury.
“Any time you have a big man, it really helps,” said Escueta.
The loss sent EAC to a three-way logjam at fourth with Letran and Lyceum at 7-8.
Mapua also cruised to a 71-57 victory over Perpetual Help in the second game to extend its winning streak to six.
Marc Cuenco waxed hot from beyond the arc, draining six treys to finish with a game-high 21 points as the Cardinals continued to remain untouchable in the second round to improve to 12-3.
The eight-ranked Altas slipped to 6-10.
The Scores
First Game
San Beda 89 – Tagle 20, Lina 18, Andrada 14, Royo 9, Puno 9, Songcuya 6, Tagala 5, Gonzales 3, Payosing 3, RC Calimag 2, Estacio 0, Bonzalida 0, Celzo 0, Richi Calimag 0.
EAC 59 – Gurtiza 10, Pagsanjan 10, Doromal 6, Bacud 6, Quinal 5, Loristo 5, Oftana 5, Ednilag 4, Ochavo 2, Jacob 2, Postanes 2, Lucero 2, Luciano 0, Bagay 0, Umpad 0.
Quarters: 24-17, 48-29, 66-35, 89-59.
Second Game
Mapua 71 – Cuenco 21, Escamis 18, Hubilla 15, Concepcion 6, Mangubat 5, Abdulla 3, Bancale 2, Recto 1, Igliane 0, Jabonete 0, Ryan 0, Garcia 0.
Perpetual 57 – Boral 14, Pagaran 13, Abis 9, Gojo Cruz 6, Pizarro 6, Nuñez 2, Manuel 2, Montemayor 2, Gelsano 2, Movida 1, Sevilla 0, Thompson 0.
Quarters: 16-12, 29-30, 51-41, 71-57.
– Rappler.com