Defending champion San Beda University capped off its crossover round on a high note, escaping Emilio Aguinaldo College, 89-86, in the NCAA Season 102 Seniors Basketball Tournament on Monday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
The Red Lions improved to 6-3 in Group A, bouncing back from their loss to Arellano University last Tuesday, their only defeat in the crossover round.
The win also reaffirmed San Beda’s mastery of EAC, as the Red Lions improved to a 31-1 all-time head-to-head record since the Generals joined the NCAA in 2009.
“Sabi ni Coach Yuri noong halftime, we’re too soft. Kailangan namin ng tapang and mas may diin pa,” said leading scorer Aldous Torculas.
After Kelly Coronel trimmed EAC’s deficit to one, 64-63, San Beda unleashed a 9-3 run to close the third quarter, extending its lead to six.
The Red Lions carried their momentum into the fourth period, building a double-digit advantage at 85-74 behind triples from JC Bonzalida and Torculas.
EAC responded with a massive 12-0 run, capped by a Joseph Nunag jumper, to reclaim the lead with 1:15 remaining.
San Beda, however, found a lifeline in the frantic final minute when an RC Calimag steal led to a foul on EJ Castillo.
Calimag calmly sank both free throws before returning to the line after the Red Lions retained possession, converting another pair of charities to give San Beda an 89-86 lead.
With 4.3 seconds left, Zane Jalbuena’s tight defense prevented MJ Raymundo from tying the game with a last-second three-pointer.
“I gotta give it to RC [Calimag], yung willingness to win and ayaw magpatalo. I gotta give credit to RC,” Torculas added.
Torculas led the Red Lions with 19 points, seven rebounds, and four assists, while Bonzalida tallied 12 points and eight rebounds.
Jimmy Reyes and Calimag chipped in 11 points apiece.
San Beda will next face top-seeded José Rizal University on Friday, October 23, at 5:00 p.m. at the same venue to kick off the final round of eliminations.
Castillo paced EAC with 19 points, while Raymundo added 17 points and eight rebounds. Nunag contributed 12 points and seven boards.
The Generals, meanwhile, fell to 3-6 in Group B, failing to build on their 86-78 victory over the College of Saint Benilde last Thursday.
EAC will look to bounce back when it faces San Sebastian College-Recoletos on October 27 at the same venue.
The Scores:
San Beda 89 — Torculas 19, Bonzalida 12, Reyes 11, Calimag, Etulle 9, Lina 7, Marcelo 7, Hawkins 4, Jamora 3, Puno 3, Dabao 3, Jalbuena 0.
Emilio Aguinaldo 86 — Castillo 19, M. Raymundo 17, Nunag 12, Bagay 9, Ochavo 7, H. Raymundo 6, Shanoda 5, Coronel 5, Oftana 4, Sealey 0, Luna 0, Namoro 0.
Quarterscores: 26-26, 44-44, 73-67, 89-86.
