Damie Cuntapay and San Beda University turned it up in the fourth quarter to subdue Jose Rizal University, 67-53, to take its third straight win of the NCAA Season 97 seniors basketball tournament, Sunday at La Salle Greenhills’ St. Benilde Gym in Mandaluyong City.
With the Heavy Bombers tying the game at the start of the fourth period, the senior center led the finishing kick for the Red Lions. He scored all of his eight points in a blistering 12-3 run.
Cuntapay pounced on the interior defense of JRU. ending his spell with an inside basket at 4:33 left in the game. That extended the lead to eight, 57-49.
The 6-foot-6 burly slotman also finished with six rebounds, one assist, and one block.
James Canlas then drilled the triple with 40 seconds left in the clock for the dagger. He sealed the win for San Beda, pushing that lead to its biggest at 64-50.
The spitfire guard paced San Beda with 17 points, nine boards, three assists, and three steals. Meanwhile, Ralph Penuela added 11 markers and an assist, and JB Bahio pulled down 10 boards and three assists.
“We’re happy that we’re on top right now, but we know that Letran is a very strong team,” head coach Boyet Fernandez said. San Beda are level with Letran at the top of the table.
“We’re happy we’re there right now, but there is still a lot of work for us. We’re still playing some big teams in the next few games. But again I will give credit to JRU. Coach Louie really did well against us and we’re just happy that we passed by JRU,” he continued.
The Bombers saw Marwin Dionisio as the lone player in double digits in points with 10 to go with eight rebounds and an assist. John Delos Santos was limited to nine points on 4-of-10 shooting but grabbed nine boards.
The Heavy Bombers slipped to the cellar at 0-3.
San Beda will go for another win when they battle San Sebastian College-Recoletos (1-1) on April 8 at 3:00 PM.
On the other hand, JRU will look to break this slump against fellow winless Lyceum of the Philippines University (0-3) on April 6 at 12:00 NN.
The Scores:
San Beda 67 – Canlas 17, Penuela 11, Bahio 8, Cuntapay 8, Ynot 8, Amsali 5, Alfaro 4, Andrada 4, Abuda 2, Cometa 0, Gallego 0.
JRU 53 – Dionisio 10, Delos Santos 9, Gonzales G. 8, Bongay 7, Celis 6, Macatangay 4, Agbong 3, Jungco 2, Arenal 2, Gonzales C. 2, Aguilar 0, Aguado 0, Guiab 0.
Quarterscores: 13-16, 32-27, 47-44, 67-53.
