Canlas, Nelle lead San Beda to 21st straight win against EAC

Even with a new coach taking over their team and a home crowd cheering them on, the Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals still could not solve the San Beda Red Lions.

Behind the dynamic duo of James Canlas and Evan Nelle, the defending champions romped the Generals, 89-72, at the EAC Sports and Cultural Center, Thursday evening.

“They will be a scrappier team this year and it showed today. Kudos to EAC team for the game,” said San Beda head coach Boyet Fernandez.

EAC tried to bamboozle San Beda early, leading 12-2. The Red Lions though responded 22-4 blast and never looked back.

“They really prepared well today, started strong and they really gave us a tough game today. Even beat us in rebounding,” added Fernandez as EAC just defeated Lyceum last Friday, 84-82.

James Canlas then took charge in the second frame before Calvin Oftana picked up the scraps in the third canto — including a highlight breakaway jam.

San Beda would lead by as much as 28 points in the final frame.

Canlas tallied his season-high 21 points to go along with five rebounds and three assists to lead San Beda to a 3-0 record early in the NCAA Season 95 Seniors Basketball Tournament.

Evan Nelle added a career-high 15 points to go along with seven assists.

“I’m happy we got this win in prep for our next game, tough game for us,” shared Fernandez as San Beda will next face San Sebastian on Friday, July 26 at 12:00 pm.

Marwin Taywan had 20 points for EAC while JP Maguliano added 13 points and six boards.

Kriss Gurtiza scored 15 markers as Jethro Mendoza, who scored 21 points against Lyceum, was limited to just 10 points on 4-of-17 shooting.

EAC, who dropped to 1-2, looks to bounce back on Tuesday, July 23 when it faces the CSB Blazers at 4:00 pm.

The Scores:

SBU 89 – Canlas 21, Nelle 15, Oftana 14, Tankoua 13, Doliguez 10, Bahio 6, Abuda 5, Soberano 2, Carino 2, Cuntapay 1, Alfaro 0, Etrata 0, Obenza 0, Visser 0

EAC 72 – Taywan 20, Gurtiza 15, Maguliano 13, Mendoza 10, Luciano 7, Estacio 2, De Guzman 2, Dayrit 2, Carlos 1, Gonzales 0, Cadua 0, Boffa 0, Martin 0, Corilla 0

Quarterscores: 24-16, 45-29, 71-45, 89-72