LIONS, BOMBERS MAKE IT THREE-WAY TIE FOR SECOND
Coming off a loss which its coach said was a “humbling” one, San Beda on Friday didn’t give up any quarters and destroyed Arellano, 96-61, to remain in top four range in the 98th Season of the NCAA men’s basketball tournament at San Juan Arena. The loss to Jose Rizal University (JRU) on Tuesday ignited a fire in the Red Lions, who came out with all guns cocked and firing as they built a 20-point lead right in the first quarter to take the fight out of the Chiefs and eventually roll to their fifth win in seven games.
“Our loss against JRU was really humbling to us. Coming to that game, they got overconfident and didn’t respect our opponent so I had to give them a sermon after that game,” San Beda head coach Yuri Escueta said.
The Chiefs, who were starved to only 14 second quarter points that had them going to the halftime break 55-23 down, dropped to a level 4-4 card, even as the Bombers remained in sharp form after stunning Lyceum, 63-57, to claim a share of third spot with the Lions and the Pirates.
JRU extends streak
JB Bahio led the Lions with 13 points and eight rebounds. James Kwekuteye also scattered 13 points while Tony Ynot scored 11. Justine Sanchez and Jacob Cortez finished with 10 apiece.
The Heavy Bombers padded their winning streak to five while snapping the Pirates’ fivegame run, thanks in big part to their end-game breakaway.
“We weren’t having problems with what we were doing. This game was just a game of streaks, it’s up and down. The game started when we took the lead but we were trailing all throughout. This is a big learning (experience) for us,” JRU coach Louie Gonzalez said.
All in all, the Bombers used a 16-1 run to erase a 47-56 deficit in the final period.
Already holding a two-point advantage in the dying seconds, 59-57, John Amores drove the lane for an all-important bucket to put JRU up, 61-57, with 26.8 seconds remaining.
Marwin Dionisio led the Bombers with 15 points, with William Sy chipping in 10 points.