by Kristel Satumbaga
Games Tomorrow (Letran gym, Intramuros)
2 p.m. – Letran vs CSB (Jrs)
4 p.m. – Letran vs CSB (Srs)
Defending champion San Beda bucked a slow start as it blasted Emilio Aguinaldo College, 61-46, yesterday to remain unscathed in the NCAA men’s basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan City.
Trailing 14-13 in the opening quarter, the Red Lions gathered enough momentum and outscored the Generals, 19-11, to take a 32-25 halftime edge before holding their rivals to only eight points in the third on the way to their third straight win.
Lyceum, last year’s runner-up, remains on top with a 5-0 card.
Robert Bolick scattered 15 points while Donald Tankoua took charge inside the paint with nine points and 10 boards as the Red Lions shackled the Generals with their stifling defense.
EAC’s 46-point output was the lowest so far this season leading to its fourth straight defeat.
Earlier, College of St. Benilde came through with a huge second-quarter assault and routed Jose Rizal University (JRU), 81-66.
Senegalese Clement Leutcheu orchestrated the Blazers’ blistering attack by scattering 10 of his 20 points in the second period to pull away from a slim 16-15 first-quarter lead. They never looked back after taking 37-27 lead at the half.
The 6-foot-7 Leutcheu also collared 14 rebounds to highlight another double-double show.
CSB’s win was a redemption of sort after dropping a close 75-69 to the Red Lions last week.
Blazers coach TY Tang commended his stalwarts’ performance, saying everybody contributed a little of everything.
Meantime, Mapua evened its record to 2-2 with a 91-83 win over Arellano Unversity.
