It was a story of runs and deadlocks but San Beda University showed poise in the second half to edge Emilio Aguinaldo College in their seesaw battle, 85-81, on Wednesday in the NCAA Season 97.
Tied at 41 apiece at halftime, San Beda uncorked a scoring barrage in the third period with a quick 7-0 run led by spitfire guard James Kwekuteye's four points as the Red Lions led the Generals, 48-41. EAC then responded with a 7-0 barrage of their own to tie the match anew at 48.
San Beda flipped the script after unleashing a 20-6 burst for a 68-54 spread before back-to-back baskets from JP Maguliano and Marwin Taywan helped EAC trim their deficit to 58-70 to end the canto.
An 8-2 run from the side of EAC opened the payoff period, 66-72, but Ralph Penuela's hot hands kept San Beda on the lead, 77-68. A triple from Ralph Robin brought EAC to within four, 81-85, just as the tim expired.
San Beda now improved to 2-0 card to tie Letran while EAC slipped to 0-2 hole.
Kwekuteye carried the scoring cudgels for the Red Lions with 16 points, including 12 in an explosive third quarter performance, while transferee JV Gallego sparked off the bench with 15 markers, 13 of which he scored in the first half, to go along with three assists and two boards.
San Beda was coming off from an 84-76 win over the Lyceum of the Philippines University last weekend.
—JMB, GMA News
