Yukien Andrada drained a miracle trey as Marinerong Pilipino-San Beda escaped past Wangs Basketball @27 Striker – Letran, 90-87, to spoil the coaching debut of Rensy Bajar in the 2023 PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup Tuesday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
With 0.5 seconds left, Andrada converted a wild triple from the left elbow off a perfect inbound pass from captain Peter Alfaro as the Red Lions scored their second straight game-winner.
San Beda also stunned reigning champion EcoOil-LaSalle on Alfaro’s late-second trifecta to stabilize its campaign at 2-1 now following a dismal debut loss against the PSP Gymers.
“Hats off to coach Rensy even though bagong appoint pa lang siya, na-prepare niya ‘yung team. Nawala yung mga key players ng Letran pero yung mga naiwan, kita mo naman. Pag San Beda-Letran talaga, you have to be ready for a tough game,” said San Beda mentor Yuri Escueta.
“I have to give also to our boys. Pinagalitan namin sila at halftime and they responded. It’s a tough game but a win is a win on the lucky shot of Yukien.”
Andrada racked up 15 points and four rebounds with Jacob Cortez spearheading the way once again with his 23 markers, three rebounds, and five assists.
Aaron James Royo added 13 while Damie Cuntapay and James Payosing chimed in nine apiece for the Red Lions, who played catch-up basketball to Letran in the first half and trailed by as many as 10 points.
But the Red Lions regained their form in time, taking the driver’s seat at 82-75 in the last three minutes only to absorb a near meltdown.
Kobe Monje had 20 and skipper Kurt Reyson rifled in 18 points including a game-tying lay-up in the last two seconds to headline the wards of coach Bajar in a foiled rally.
The Scores:
Marinero-San Beda 90 – Cortez 23, Andrada 15, Royo 13, Cuntapay 9, Payosing 9, Jopia 8, Gallego 8, Alfaro 5, Tagle 0, Visser 0, Jalbuena 0, Llarena 0.
Wangs Striker-Letran 87 – Monje 20, Reyson 18, Cuajao 14, Javillonar 10, Tolentino 6, Santos 5, Ariar 5, Bojorcelo 4, Guariano 3, Alarcon 2, Laquindanum 0, Fajardo 0.
Quarterscores: 21-22, 36-42, 61-62, 90-87.
