San Beda University asserted its mastery over Emilio Aguinaldo College, taking an 85-81 win to stay undefeated in two games of the NCAA Season 97 seniors basketball tournament on Wednesday at La Salle Greenhills’ St. Benilde Gym in Mandaluyong City.
This is the 23rd consecutive win of the Red Lions over the Generals since the latter joined as a probationary member of the league in 2009.
However, San Beda had to work for this one.
Peter Alfaro gave San Beda its biggest lead, 72-58, at the onset of the final period with a midrange shot.
The Generals, though, would not give up without a fight as they tried to keep themselves in the game.
Jp Magullano, JC Luciano, and captain Marwin Taywan collaborated with an 8-5 run to close out the deficit to seven, 68-75, with four minutes left in the game.
The Red Lions, nonetheless, stifled this EAC run with finality in a battle the latter marginally lost — rebounding.
Amsali bagged his ninth rebound of the game with an offensive board off a Canlas missed three. He then freed himself for an under-goal stab that wounded the hopes of the Generals of an upset win with 10 seconds left in the clock.
San Beda was ahead in terms of the department with 49 against the EAC’s 40, but it was on the offensive side that proved to be the difference as the Red Lions grabbed 19, eight more than that of the General.
Amsali also finished with 13 points, two assists, and one block.
“I would like to congratulate EAC. They played well against us,” long-time San Beda head coach Boyet Fernandez said. “They prepared well. I would like to congratulate coach (Oliver) Bunyi for this game. They gave us a lesson.”
Canlas added 16 points, six rebounds, an assist and a steal. Former NU Bulldog JV Gallego chipped in 15 points, two rebounds, three assists, and two steals.
Ralph Robin led the Generals in scoring with 19 markers and a rebound. Magullano added 14 points, four rebounds, one assist, and one steal; while Taywan finished with 13 markers, three boards, four assists, and a steal.
San Beda (2-0) will try to keep in step atop the standings when they battle Jose Rizal University (0-2) on Sunday, April 3 at 3 pm. On their part, EAC (0-2) will take to get their first win against fellow winless the Lyceum of the Philippines University (0-2) on Saturday, April 2 at 3 p.m.
The Scores:
SBU (85) — Canlas 16, Gallego 15, Amsali 13, Penuela 13, Alfaro 9, Bahio 5, Andrada 4, Abuda 3, Sanchez 3, Ynot 3, Cuntapay 1, Cometa 0, Visser 0, Jopia 0, Villejo 0.
EAC (81) — Robin 19, Maguliano 14, Taywan 13, Luciano 9, Liwag 7, Quinal 6, Fuentes 6, Doria Ad. 3, Bunyi 2, Gurtiza 2, Cosa 0, Ampad 0, Doria An. 0.
Quarterscores: 20-17, 41-41, 70-58. 85-81
