San Beda University ended the first round of NCAA Season 98 Seniors Basketball Tournament with a dominating win against University of Perpetual Help System DALTA on a wire-to-wire 71-52 win on Wednesday at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City.
After the first half of the season, San Beda is tied with Colegio de San Juan de Letran at the fourth spot with 6-3, while the Altas are now 4-5, tied with Arellano University.
The Red Lions went firing on all cylinders to start the match, leading already by 14 to end the opening frame, 25-11.
San Beda did not look back after having the lead the entire game that grew by as much as 22, 67-45 following James Kwekuteye’s two free throws with exactly four minutes remaining.
“A win is a win for us but we still could have improved a lot, especially us that we’re looking to be more consistent kasi nga up down, up down ‘yung games namin and it starts within games and in quarters so ayun ‘yung goal namin sa second round, to be more consistent,” said SBU head coach Yuri Escueta.
“We still gave up 26 offensive rebounds so hindi ka talaga pwedeng mag-relax against Perpetual eh. They will outwork you if you take them for granted,” he continued.
“Again, hats off to our guys coming into the game with that energy coming from that loss against CSB.”
The starters of San Beda outclassed Perpetual’s opening five, 40-11, while also shutting down Kim Aurin and Jielo Razon with a combined 4-of-27 from the field.
JB Bahio led the Red Lions with 16 points, eight rebounds, and a block. James Kwekuteye contributed a double-double with 12 markers and 22 boards, while Justine Sanchez also scored 12 points in an efficient 5-for-7 from the field.
For the Altas, JP Boral finished with 14 points, six rebounds, and a dime.
Despite shooting 2-for-13, Aurin scored 10 markers as he went perfect from the charity stripe with six made.
San Beda will be back on Tuesday against the Chiefs on Tuesday, 12 NN. Perpetual on the other hand, will take on the Knights on the same day at 3 PM.
The Scores:
San Beda 71 –– Bahio 16, Kwekuteye 12, Sanchez 12, Ynot 7, Andrada 6, Alfaro 5, Cometa 5, Jopia 5, Payosing 2, Tagle 1, Cuntapay 0, Visser 0, Alloso 0, Tagala 0.
Perpetual 52 — Boral 14, Aurin 10, Barcuma 7, Razon 5, Ferreras 5, Martel 4, Omega 2, Abis 2, Flores 2, Nitura 1, Egan 0, Orgo 0, Cuevas 0, Roque 0.
Quarterscores: 25-11, 36-24, 56-39, 71-52.
