Defending champion San Beda University turned back hapless San Sebastian College-Recoletos, 85-55, in the NCAA Season 102 Seniors Basketball Tournament on Friday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
Coming off a 55-54 loss to then-winless Mapúa University last Monday, the Red Lions bounced back to improve to 3-2 in Bracket A.
“Yung talk ni Coach Yuri [Escueta] before the game was about being present, being grateful for what we have right now. ‘Yung talk na ‘yun is more on also to relieve some pressure siguro off our shoulders,” said San Beda assistant coach Andre Santos.
San Beda was also without Andrei Ugaddan, who served a one-game suspension following his ejection in their previous game against Mapua after receiving two technical fouls.
The Stags gave the reigning champions a scare in the first half, putting together a spirited effort that kept San Beda from pulling away and allowed them to stay within striking distance at halftime.
However, the Red Lions began to create separation in the third quarter, outscoring the Stags, 21-12, to take a 62-48 lead heading into the final frame.
San Beda then clamped down defensively in the fourth quarter, limiting San Sebastian to just five points as it cruised to a 30-point victory.
Aldous Torculas led the Red Lions with a game-high 18 points and six rebounds. He was San Beda’s lone double-digit scorer in a balanced offensive effort where every player who logged minutes scored at least a point.
“Siguro it’s always a next man mentality. Knowing that we do have a deep roster and knowing that it’s a long season, it’s really important that guys are locked in for whatever minutes they’re given,” Santos added.
Kent Bacani paced the Stags with 15 points, while Nurben Muktimar contributed 11.
San Beda notably attempted 51 free throws compared to San Sebastian’s 21, but the Red Lions converted just 64.7 percent of their attempts from the charity stripe.
San Sebastian dropped to 0-5 in Bracket B after opening its campaign in the crossover round.
The Stags will take on College of Saint Benilde on Monday at 3:00 p.m., while the Red Lions will face rivals Colegio de San Juan de Letran at 5:00 p.m.
The Scores:
San Beda 85 – Torculas 18, Reyes 9, Puno 8, Bonzalida 8, Marcelo 8, Lina 7, Jalbuena 5, Etulle 5, Dabao 5, RC Calimag 3, Estacio 3, Sarigumba 3, Hawkins 2, Ri. Calimag 1.
San Sebastian 55 – Bacani 15, Muktimar 11, Ricio 9, Velasco 4, Gabat 3, Alforque 3, Cuya 3, Segovia 2, Kitane 2, Suico 2, Barroga 1, Castor 0, Salvo 0, Chuidian 0.
Quarterscores: 23-21, 41-36, 62-48, 85-55.
