San Beda University bounced back from a tough loss against EAC, unleashing its frustrations on Jose Rizal University with a decisive 77-60 victory in the NCAA Season 100 Seniors Basketball Tournament on Saturday afternoon at the Filoil EcoOil Centre.
From the start, the Red Lions displayed their championship pedigree. They controlled the game for the entire 40 minutes and gave JRU no chance to mount a comeback.
The momentum shifted heavily in San Beda’s favor in the second quarter when they executed a blistering 26-1 run.
The Red Lions’ red-hot offense and stifling defense allowed them to build a commanding 46-20 lead, capped by a pair of free throws from reigning finals MVP James Payosing.
When the Red Lions appeared shaky after halftime, JRU’s sophomore shooter Shawn Argente sparked a brief rally. He scored nine consecutive points to cut San Beda’s lead to 15, 46-31, with 8:21 remaining in the third quarter.
However, head coach Yuri Escueta quickly regrouped his team, preventing JRU from gaining further ground and steering them back to a comfortable victory.
Escueta later revealed that the Red Lions’ aggressive play in the first half was a focal point in their game plan.
“Mentally, I told the boys as defending champions, teams are always targeting us. Sabi ko, why don’t we change the script and be the aggressors this time? Huwag yung salo lang tayo ng salo, tayo naman yung mauna,” shared the former Ateneo guard.
Yukien Andrada delivered a steady performance, recording a 16-point, 10-rebound double-double while shooting an impressive 7-of-9 from the field.
Bryan Sajonia also bounced back with 14 points, and the athletic duo of James Payosing and Jomel Puno chipped in 13 points each.
With the win, the Red Lions improved to a 3-2 record.
They will enjoy a long break before facing Arellano University next Saturday at 11:00 AM at the Filoil EcoOil Centre.
On the other hand, Shawn Argente’s scoring outburst was not enough to keep JRU competitive against the reigning champions.
The 5-foot-99 guard finished with 27 points on 50% shooting – the lone Heavy Bomber to reach double figures. JRU’s struggles continued, as they dropped to a 1-4 record.
JRU’s next game is also against Arellano University, scheduled for Wednesday at 12:00 noon at the same venue.
The Scores:
San Beda 77 – Andrada 16, Sajonia 14, Payosing 13, Puno 13, Tagle 9, Estacio 5, Songcuya 3, Jalbuena 2, Celzo 2, Gonzales 0, Royo 0, Tagala 0, Sollano 0, Calimag 0, Culdora 0
Jose Rizal 60 – Argente 27, Raymundo 8, Mosqueda 7, Guiab 6, Sarmiento 4, Lozano 4, Medina 2, Barrera 2, Panapanaan 0, Ramos 0, De Jesus 0, De Leon 0, Pangilinan 0
Quarterscores: 16-14, 46-22, 63-45, 77-60
