San Beda University held off Jose Rizal University, 75-71, to complete an elimination-round sweep of the Heavy Bombers and claim a share of the lead in Group A of the NCAA Season 102 Seniors Basketball Tournament on Friday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre.
With their once double-digit advantage erased, the Red Lions leaned on Zedjay Etulle to deliver in the clutch.
With the game tied at 71-all with 30 seconds remaining, Etulle sank two crucial free throws to put San Beda back in front.
An inside miss by Allan Laurenaria on the other end then sent Etulle back to the free-throw line, where he converted twice more to seal the victory.
“Nerves of steel. This is good for Zed’s confidence,” said Red Lions head coach Yuri Escueta of Etulle, who finished with seven points and six rebounds.
The Red Lions improved to 7-3 in Group A, matching the Heavy Bombers’ record but holding the edge in the quotient after also winning their first-round encounter, 65-62, last September 26. San Beda also moved half a game ahead of the idle Benilde Blazers and Mapua Cardinals.
Already without Lawrence Mangubat, who missed the game due to a right shoulder injury, the Heavy Bombers also lost big man Chris Hubilla early in the contest.
With 1:17 remaining in the opening quarter, Hubilla tried to fight off a double-team by Jomel Puno and RC Calimag. However, as he turned, he banged knees with Puno, forcing him out of the game for good.
San Beda took advantage of JRU’s depleted lineup, racing to a 67-46 lead in the third quarter.
However, the Heavy Bombers refused to go down without a fight.
Trailing by 21 points entering the final frame, JRU mounted a furious 25-4 rally, capped by Sean Salvador’s line-drive three-pointer with 1:27 remaining to knot the score at 71-all.
During the run, San Beda also lost Jimmy Reyes after the graduating guard collided with teammate JC Bonzalida with 7:11 left in the game.
“Well, as much as possible, we want to win convincingly, but that is hard to do in the NCAA. Sabi ko nga, when you lead in the fourth quarter, the level of intensity, nag-iiba. So we have to be able to match the intensity and physicality,” said Escueta.
Still, San Beda managed to hold on, with Etulle’s clutch free throws proving decisive.
Aldous Torculas flirted with a double-double, finishing with 15 points and eight rebounds. Bismarck Lina, Dan Marcelo, and Kyle Jamora chipped in 14, 13, and 12 points, respectively.
Salvador led JRU with 19 points, while Jalen Garcia added 14.
San Beda will next face red-hot Mapua on Thursday at 3 p.m., while JRU takes on Lyceum on Tuesday at the same venue in San Juan.
The Scores:
San Beda 75 – Torculas 15, Lina 14, Marcelo 13, Jamora 12, Etulle 7, Ugaddan 7, Puno 3, Reyes 2, Calimag 2, Bonzalida 0, Hawkins 0, Estacio 0
Jose Rizal 71 – Salvador 19, Garcia 14, Eligado 9, Penaverde 9, Panapanaan 6, Laurenaria 6, Palis 3, Duque 2, Garupil 2, Castillo 1, Hubilla 0, Bagro 0, Masiglat 0
Quarterscores: 15-21, 41-36, 67-46, 75-71
