by Waylon Galvez
Games Tuesday (The Arena, San Juan)
8 a.m. – Letran vs JRU (Jrs)
10 a.m. – Mapua vs SSC (Jrs)
12 n.n. – Letran vs JRU (Srs)
2 p.m. – Mapua vs SSC (Srs)
4 p.m. – Perpetual Help vs CSB (Srs)
6 p.m. – Perpetual Help vs CSB(Jrs)
Defending three-time champion San Beda College claimed its second straight runaway victory with a 74-52 beating of Jose Rizal University yesterday in the 95th NCAA men’s basketball at The Arena in San Juan.
In a show of force, Calvin Oftana collected 17 points and 10 rebounds, while Fil-Canadian James Kwekuteye likewise dropped 17 points, and JB Bahio added 11 points for the Lions.
Evan Nelle quietly contributed to San Beda’s win by dishing a career best 14 assists – reason why the Lions pulled away early.
Nelle, a sophomore who took over the point guard position from now PBA player Robert Bolick, struggled with his shooting as he scored five points on 2-of-8 but he was on target finding his teammates.
Nelle’s 11 assists in the first half allowed the Red Lions to take 45-31 lead the halftime.
SBU opened the game with a 15-0 advantage before JRU finally scored on a three-pointer with three minutes left in the first period.
In the second game, Jerrick Balanza fired a career-best 31 points while Jeo Ambohot collected 15 points and 11 rebounds as Letran gave new coach Bonnie Tan his first win in his return to the NCAA as the Knights downed host school Arellano University, 81-72.
Letran, a semifinalist last season, rebounded from last Sunday’s season-opening 80-84 loss to the Lyceum Pirates to improve their record at 1-1.
“We were just happy to win the game. I’m for the Letran community and I’m happy for the players who overcame this test,” said Tan, whose first coaching stint in the oldest collegiate league in the country was with Lyceum in 2014.
Arellano fell to 0-2 this season after losing to San Beda University also last Sunday.
In junior’s action, Rhayyan Amsali exploded for 29 points apart from grabbing seven rebounds in his debut with SBU as the Red Cubs claimed their second straight win with a 99-80 victory over the Jose Rizal Heavy Bombers.
The scores:
First Game
SAN BEDA 74 – Canlas 17, Oftana 17, Bahio 11, Doliguez 7, Tankoua 6, Soberano 6, Nelle 5, Abuda 3, Cariño 2, Etrata 0, Alfaro 0, Obenza 0, Cuntapay 0, Visser 0.
JRU 52 – Dionisio 13, Dela Rosa 11, Vasquez 9, Amores 8, Steinl 6, Jungco 2, Aguilar 2, Abaoag 1, Arenal 0, Dela Virgen 0, Macatangay 0.
Quarters: 21-10; 45-31; 66-43; 74-52.
Second Game
Letran 81 – Balanza 31, Ambohot 15, Ular 8, Caralipio 8, Mina 6, Muyang 5, Olivario 2, Javillonar 2, Sangalang 2, Reyson 2, Yu 0, Batiller 0, Balagasay 0.
Arellano 72 – Alcoriza 19, Arana 12, Gayosa 11, Salado 9, Sablan 8, Talampas 6, Concepcion 4, Bayla 3, Espiritu 0, De Guzman 0, Santos 0.
Quarters: 23-16, 36-40, 60-59, 81-72.
