San Beda University stood its ground late, weathering a San Sebastian College-Recoletos comeback attempt to take a 78-71 wire-to-wire win in the NCAA Season 98 Seniors Basketball, Wednesday at FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City.
The Red Lions waxed hot in the first quarter with 16-0 to start, while also getting their biggest lead, with 23, 25-2 after a Gabriel Cometa jumper.
San Sebastian, though, started to find their footing in the succeeding cantos thanks to Jessie Sumoda’s perfect second quarter. It scored 11 points on 4-of-4 shooting and 3-of-3 from deep.
The Stags were able to cut it to two, 57-59, entering the final frame. However, they only converted on two field goals in the payoff period. Instead, they began playing the free throw game with San Beda in the final five minutes of play.
“Well, it’s good that we were able experience ‘yung mga ganyan game, kasi ‘yung first win namin sa EAC malaki lamang eh. So ngayon, nung lumaki lamang namin [sa Baste], medyo humabol,” said San Beda head coach Yuri Escueta.
He added, “At the same, kahit papaano, na-contain namin ‘yung lead namin. Ta’s always in the end nung dikdikan na – ang pinaka-gusto ko dun is we were able to make stops, and get rebounds. Kaya kami nanalo.”
James Kwekuteye finished with a game-high 20 points, three rebounds, three steals, and an assist. Meanwhile, Jb Bahio had a double-double of 10 markers and 10 boards.
Peter Alfaro and Winston Ynot had 11 and 10 respectively.
For San Sebastian, on the other hand, Sumoda ended up with 19 points and six boards. Kenneth Villapando added 13 points, seven rebounds and four steals.
Egay Macaraya was not in the game since he was under the weather. Coaching for San Sebastian was deputy Melo Banua.
Both teams now have identical 2-2 win-loss records.
Next up for San Beda is University of Perpetual Help System DALTA on Sunday at 3:00 PM. San Sebastian, on the other hand, will be back on Saturday against Lyceum of the Philippines, also at 3:00 PM.
The Scores:
San Beda 78 — Kwekuteye 20, Alfaro 11, Bahio 10, Ynot 10, Cortez 6, Tagala 6, Cometa 4, Jopia 4, Andrada 4, Cuntapay 3, Visser 0.
San Sebastian 71 — Sumoda 19, Villapando 13, Yambing 13, Desoyo 4, Felebrico 4, Escobido 4, Calahat 3, Shanoda 3, Altamirano 3, Are 3, Una 1, Suico 1, Cosari 0, Concha 0.
Quarterscores: 30-11, 46-36, 59-57, 78-71.
