Coming off its first loss in the NCAA Season 101 Seniors Basketball Tournament, San Beda University bounced back with authority, routing Emilio Aguinaldo College 79-64 in a wire-to-wire victory to top Group B after the first round on Sunday at the Filoil Centre.
The Red Lions were stunned by the JRU Heavy Bombers last Friday, falling 67-66 in a heartbreaker.
“We lost by one point. That’s not how we played at all. Losing by one? It hurts,” admitted San Beda ace Janti Miller.
“We just came to practice, bounced back, and that’s a good bounce-back win for us.”
Yukien Andrada made his long-awaited return to the Red Lions after missing the first three games due to a shoulder injury, contributing nine points in 20 minutes of play.
Miller led San Beda with 14 points and nine rebounds, while Jommel Puno added 12 points and six boards.
Revelation Zedjay Etulle chipped in 11 points and seven rebounds, and floor general Nygel Gonzales contributed 10 points and four assists.
San Beda raced to a 19-9 lead and never looked back, at one point leading by as many as 23 points, 69-46.
The Red Lions dominated the glass, outrebounding the Generals 53-37.
“We really take pride in defense, and we didn’t have a good defense against JRU,” said Miller.
San Beda closes Round 1 with a 3-1 record, tied with College of Saint Benilde, which it defeated on opening day, 96-85.
All but three Red Lions scored in the contest as they prepare for a showdown with defending champions Mapua Cardinals on Friday.
“I feel like we can play against anybody. That’s two days of practices, and we will go hard against Mapua on Friday,” shared Miller.
Meanwhile, the Generals finished Round 1 with a 1-3 slate, their lone win coming from a 68-65 victory over JRU last October 7.
No EAC player scored in double digits, with Wilmar Oftana and Nico Quinal leading the team with nine points apiece.
EAC will take on Arellano on Friday.
The Scores:
San Beda 81 – Miller 14, Puno 12, Etulle 11, Gonzales 10, Andrada 9, Reyes 7, Sajonia 5, Estacio 5, Lina 5, Calimag 3, Celzo 0, Vailoces 0, Songcuya 0.
Emilio Aguinaldo 64 – Oftana 9, Quinal 9, Bagay 8, Omandac 7, Angeles 7, Castillo 6, Tolentino 6, Postanes 5, Ochavo 2, Shanoda 2, Doria 2, Loristo 0, Devara 0, Villarente 0, Dominguez 0.
Quarterscores: 21-14, 45-28, 65-46, 81-64.
