By Miguel Caramoan
In a virtual battle for the top spot in Group B, Yukien Andrada put on a shooting clinic while Bryan Sajonia delivered timely baskets to propel San Beda University to a narrow 78-76 victory over College of Saint Benilde in the NCAA Season 101 Seniors Basketball Tournament on Friday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre.
The graduating Andrada led the Red Lions with 23 points, five rebounds, and two assists, shooting 4-of-6 from beyond the arc. Sajonia also had his best game since returning from injury, tallying 22 points and four rebounds on an efficient 60% shooting clip.
“That’s probably a big reason why Sajonia and Yuki got their threes. It’s always a conscious effort because we all have these weapons, but how are we going to maximize them?” Red Lions assistant coach Andre Santos said, praising the team’s ball movement that created open looks for Andrada and Sajonia.
“I like that we’re aware na Sajonia has got it going, we keep finding him, and our point guards really did a good job.’
San Beda took control of the game in the middle quarters, outscoring Benilde, 51-31. Andrada erupted for 10 points in the third frame, while Sajonia drilled three triples to help build momentum for the Red Lions.
Benilde, however, refused to go down quietly. Shawn Umali dominated the paint in the final quarter, and Jhommel Ancheta trimmed the deficit to 73-69 with two minutes left.
The Blazers then unleashed an avalanche of three-pointers, with Jake Gaspay and Tony Ynot knocking down consecutive treys to make it a one-point game, 77-76.
Still, Sajonia’s two clutch triples and a free throw, along with Janti Miller’s two charities, proved just enough to keep San Beda ahead at the buzzer.
The Red Lions snapped their two-game skid and regained control of Group B with a 7-3 record.
“Coming off two losses, make or break yung game na ‘to eh. Imagine if we lost three straight, how demoralizing it would have been. But to end that losing streak, to beat a tough Benilde team, and to solidify ourselves at number one — super big win,” Santos said on how much the victory meant for the Red Lions.
San Beda will next face its archrival, the Letran Knights, on Tuesday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Meanwhile, Benilde fell to 6-4, now tied in the loss column with Letran and JRU in Group B. Ynot once again led the Blazers with 21 points and eight rebounds on 57.1% shooting, while Umali contributed 16 points before fouling out.
As reported earlier, Benilde missed the services of Allen Liwag, who is expected to be out for three to four weeks due to a left shoulder sprain.
The Blazers will look to bounce back when they face the EAC Generals on Sunday, also at the Mall of Asia Arena.
The Scores:
San Beda 80 – Andrada 23, Sajonia 22, Miller 11, Estacio 7, Etulle 5, Gonzales 4, Reyes 4, Lina 4, Celzo 0, Calimag 0, Bonzalida 0, Puno 0, Culdora 0
Benilde 76 – Ynot 21, Umali 16, Cajucom 9, Celis 8, Sanchez 6, Torres 5, Ancheta 4, Gaspay 3, Cometa 2, Morales 2, Moore 0, Eusebio 0, Oli 0, Galas 0,
Quarterscores: 17-21, 43-35, 68-52, 80-76
