By: Bjorn del Deade
Yukien Andrada led San Beda University to victory over University of Perpetual Help System DALTA, 57-53, to remain in solo third place in the NCAA Season 100 Seniors Basketball Tournament at the Filoil EcoOil Centre on Friday.
Andrada paced the Red Lions with 21 points on 53.3 percent shooting from the field (8/15), including five out of nine from beyond the arc. He scored 13 markers in the second frame alone, helping San Beda outscore Perpetual 21-7 during that period.
“I didn’t really expect to get my shots going, especially in the first quarter. Hindi naman masyado maganda pinakita ko,” Andrada said. “Pero the coaches and my teammates gave me confidence; may tiwala sila sakin. Kahit pangit ang start ko, I’ll still take those shots.”
Henry Montemayor’s three-pointer and Jearico Nunez’s two free throws kept Perpetual ahead by double digits at the end of the opening quarter, 19-8.
However, Andrada scored 11 points in a 14-3 run that tied the game at 22-all before the Altas closed the half with a 7-2 spurt, taking a 29-26 lead into halftime.
In the third quarter, Andrada hit two more threes, followed by Oliver Tagle’s free throw, giving the Red Lions a 10-point cushion at 41-31. San Beda then briefly held its biggest lead of the game after an RC Calimag three made it 44-31. However, Perpetual responded with a 7-0 run to stay within striking distance heading into the final period, trailing 44-38.
The Red Lions held an eight-point edge midway through the fourth, courtesy of Penny Estacio’s three-pointer at 54-46. Perpetual pulled within four as John Boral and Christian Pagaran scored back-to-back baskets to make it 50-54.
Estacio drilled a dagger three with less than 50 seconds remaining, but Mark Gojo Cruz immediately answered back with a three of his own to keep the Altas afloat, trailing by four at 57-53.
San Beda had a chance to drain the clock and secure the win, but an offensive foul by Andrada gave Perpetual some breathing room with 19 seconds left. However, the Altas failed to capitalize on their possession as Pagaran missed the three-pointer that could have cut their deficit to one.
“Just being aggressive. Being able to contain them individually, especially si Pagaran and si Gojo Cruz. Also, one thing that I emphasized was battling for every possession,” said head coach Yuri Escueta.
“We really have to finish our defensive plays. We’ll get the rebounds. Kala ko makikita ko na naman ang LPU,” he added, referring to the close 64-62 loss to LPU last Friday.
Bismark Lina scored nine points and grabbed six rebounds, while Jomel Puno added eight points and five boards in the win. San Beda tightened its grip on third place with an 8-4 win-loss record.
San Beda University will next face Mapua University on Oct. 20, Sunday, at 2:30 p.m.
Meanwhile, Gojo Cruz had 14 points and six rebounds, while Nunez contributed 11 points and five rebounds in the losing effort. Pagaran added 10 markers as Perpetual dropped to a 5-7 record, placing them seventh.
Perpetual will look to stay in the Final Four hunt as they next face Arellano University on Oct. 22, Tuesday, at 2:30 p.m.
The Scores:
San Beda 57 – Andrada 21, Lina 9, Puno 8, Estacio 6, Calimag 6, Tagle 4, Sajonia 3, Payosing 0, Bonzalida 0, Tagala 0, Songcuya 0, Celzo 0
Perpetual Help 53 – Gojo Cruz 14, Nuñez 11, Pagaran 10, Abis 7, Boral 4, Manuel 3, Montemayor 3, Pizarro 1, Orgo 0, Gelsano 0
Quarterscores: 8-19, 29-26, 44-38, 57-53
