San Beda University was on target right from the get-go, bouncing back from a loss with a 71-52 mastery of University of Perpetual Help System DALTA in NCAA Season 98 on Wednesday.
San Beda improved to 6-3 while Perpetual absorbed its second loss in a row for a 4-5 win-loss card.
JB Bahio led the Red Lions with 16 points while James Kwekuteye posted a double-double with 12 points and 11 rebounds.
The two did most of their damage in the first half, where San Beda led by as many as 17 points, 28-11, after a driving layup from Bahio.
Kwekuteye and Bahio each had 10 points after the first two quarters while JP Boral led Perpetual with nine markers early.
It was pretty much the same in the third, as San Beda was able to build a 21-point advantage with Gab Cometa sinking a technical free throw before they headed into the fourth carrying a 56-39 cushion.
The Red Lions never looked from from there, closing their first round campaign on a high note.
San Beda was coming off a heartbreaking loss to De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde — the Blazers’ first win over the Mendiola crew since 2014.
Justine Sanchez also finished with 12 points while shooting 5-for-7 from the field for the Red Lions.
Perpetual, meanwhile, was led by JP Boral, who scored 14 points, and Kim Aurin, who chipped in with 10 markers.
The scores:
San Beda 71 - Bahio 16, Kwekuteye 12, Sanchez 12, Ynot 7, Andrada 6, Alfaro 5, Cometa 5, Jopia 5, Payosing 2, Tagle 1, Cuntapay 0, Visser 0, Tagala 0, Alloso 0.
Perpetual 52 - Boral 14, Aurin 10, Barcuma 7, Razon 5, Ferreras 5, Martel 4, Omega 2, Abis 2, Flores 2, Nitura 1, Egan 0, Orgo 0, Cuevas 0, Roque 0.
Quarters: 25-11, 36-24, 56-39, 71-52.
—JMB, GMA News
