Defending NCAA Men’s Basketball champions San Beda stretched their streak to 30 games after locking down the Mapua Cardinals, 83-55, Friday at the Filoil Flying V Centre.
The Red Lions have yet to taste defeat since August 21, 2018, a 66-73 loss to Lyceum. Moreover, San Beda sealed top seed for the playoffs with a 16-0 record.
“Every win, the target is really getting bigger. But I always tell my boys that don’t think about what’s in store after this — think about our next game,” said San Beda head coach Boyet Fernandez.
It also helped that Fernandez gave the Red Lions additional incentive during the halftime break.
“Sa totoo lang, binigyan ko lang ng extra bonus yung mga bata. I told them if you win today, we deserve two days off,” he quipped.
Already holding a 10-point lead entering the second half, the Red Lions imposed their killer defense on the Cardinals. They limited Mapua to just nine points in the third canto to gain an imposing 59-37 lead.
Sensing blood, San Beda continued their bombardment in the final frame, leading by as much as 28 points.
James Canlas led the way for San Beda with 16 points and 10 rebounds. Meanwhile, his fellow Bandana Bro Evan Nelle scattered 14 points, eight assists, three rebounds, and two steals.
Calvin Oftana had 15 points built on five triples, while AC Soberano chipped in 12 markers. Donald Tankoua hauled down nine rebounds with six points.
Noah Lugo paced Mapua with 14 points and 10 rebounds, but the Cardinals dropped their slate to 7-8, falling behind by 1.5 games to the fourth-running San Sebastian.
San Beda will have a six-day break before facing the CSB Blazers on Thursday, October 10. On the other hand, Mapua look to bounce back on the same day versus San Sebastian.
The Scores:
SBU 83 – Canlas 15, Oftana 15, Nelle 14, Soberano 12, Tankoua 6, Alfaro 5, Abuda 4, Carino 4, Cuntapay 4, Noah 3, Bahio 0, Visser 0, Etrata 0, Obenza 0
MU 55 – Lugo 14, Serrano 10, Bunag 8, Victoria 6, Nocum 6, Gamboa 4, Garcia 3, Bonifacio 2, Dela Cruz 2, Nieles 0 Salenga 0, Aguirre 0, Jabel 0
Quarterscores: 15-12, 38-28, 59-37, 83-55
