By MARK REY MONTEJO
Yukien Andrada waxed hot from afar and San Beda scored a 74-56 triumph over Lyceum to boost its semis bid in the NCAA Season 99 men’s basketball tournament at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City on Tuesday, Nov. 21.
In what could be his finest game so far, Andrada scattered six triples on the way to finishing with a career-best 26 points as the Red Lions improved their record to 11-6.
That pushed them in joint third to fourth places with College of St. Benilde.
He was ably supported by Jacob Cortez who posted16 points, 7 assists, 4 rebounds and 3 steals – numbers that helped San Beda pulled away in the fourth and stretched their winning run to three games.
San Beda head coach Yuri Escueta said his players were challenged and motivated following their stinging 71-69 loss to the league-leading Mapua Nov. 12.
“Sabi ko nga we’ve been playing well since Mapua game, panalo din dapat kami do’n,” Escueta said.
“But again, we learned from that [loss], we’ve been able to bring [our best] in our past few games,” he added.
It was a close game from the start until Cortez and Andrada spearheaded the team’s mighty breakaway.
Despite the loss, the Pirates finished No. 2 behind Mapua with a 13-5 card.
San Beda’s win likewise eliminated University of Perpertual Help from the Final Four race despite the Altas’ 75-60 win over San Sebastian early in the day.
The Altas wound up with a 10-8 record.
Also in contention for at least a playoff for the fourth semis berth is Jose Rizal University (10-7).
The scores:
SAN BEDA 74- Andrada 26, Cortez 16, Puno 8, Gonzales 5, Tagle 5, Alfaro 5, Jopia 4, Cuntapay 3, Payosing 2, Visser 0, Tagala 0.
LPU 56– Valdez 17, Umali 14, Guadana 6, Montano 6, Barba 5, Versoza 4, Omandac 2, Penafiel 2, Cunanan 0, Bravo 0, Villegas 0, Culanay 0.
Quarterscores: 22-16; 38-30; 52-44; 75-56.
