By CARLO ANOLIN
San Beda used a strong third quarter to assert its dominance and repeat over Arellano, 76-63, in the second round of the NCAA Season 98 men’s basketball tournament Wednesday, Nov. 2, at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City.
James Kwekuteye took charge for the Red Lions as he scattered 16 points – thanks to the absence of Chiefs big man Cade Flores – to help improve the team’s record to 8-4.
Kwekuteye also grabbed four rebounds as the Red Lions boosted their bid for a semis berth.
Also shining for San Beda were JB Bahio, who posted 10 points, 14 rebounds, and three assists, while Justine Sanchez once again made his presence felt by chipping in 10 points on top of four rebounds and two blocks.
A decisive 29-14 run in the third quarter which Kwekuteye triggered enabled San Beda to heave a sigh of relief heading into the payoff period after a closely-contested first half.
The Lions pulled away for good and never looked back at that point even as the likes of Jacob Cortez, Damie Cuntapay, and James Payosing — all given more than 10 minutes of play — put up the finishing touches.
That proved too much for the embattled Chiefs as the Lions, who romped to a 35-point win in the first round, even gained a 70-45 advantage.
Axel Doromal and Wilmar Oftana combine for 23 points and eight rebounds butn were not enough as the Chiefs slipped to 5-7 card.
San Beda also led the first half but not much as the Red Lions finished the half up by just three, 34-31.
But the absence of Flores, who was reportedly nursing an injury, proved costly as the Red Lions started to impose their will inside and outside to pull away for good. Veteran Shane Menina, who also provided the spark for Arellano in the first half, only saw 36 seconds of action and remained scoreless. ###
The scores:
SAN BEDA 76 Kwekuteye 16, Bahio 10, Sanchez 10, Cortez 7, Alfaro 6, Payosing 6, Cuntapay 6, Tagala 5, Andrada 4, Ynot 2, Visser 2, Jopia 1, Cometa 1, Alloso 0, Tagle 0.
ARELLANO 63 Doromal 12, Oftana 11, Sunga 10, Mallari 9, Mantua 8, Advincula 5, Oliva 3, Talampas 3, Tan 2, Domingo 0, Tolentino 0, Antonio 0, Ongotan 0, Menina 0.
Quarters: 15-13, 34-31, 63-45, 76-63.
