San Beda University got a huge lift from its bench to escape a hungry Emilio Aguinaldo College side, 81-71, and snap its two-game skid in the NCAA Season 99 on Sunday.
The Red Lions improved to 8-4 to tie De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde at the third spot while EAC slipped to 7-6.
Jacob Cortez paced San Beda with 15 points while James Payosing continued his steady play for the Red Lions with 14 markers, eight rebounds, three assists, and one steal.
Rookie Aaron Royo dropped 13 points off the bench as Jomel Puno churned out another double-double effort of 11 markers and 10 boards.
San Beda took care of business early, building a lead as high as 17 before EAC outscored them in the second period for a 37-28 halftime cushion.
The Generals continued their rampage in the third, but San Beda's Puno, who was held to just two points in the first half, found his touch by scoring seven points to fuel a 9-2 run to give the Red Lions another double-digit advantage, 70-54.
Although EAC veterans JP Maguliano and Nat Cosejo would cut that that to just a nine-point deficit, San Beda quickly restored order with unlikely hero Royo completing a three-point play, 74-62, with 2:53 left.
The win allowed San Beda to bounce back from two costly losses to Arellano University and San Sebastian College-Recoletos.
Cosejo had 18 points and eight rebounds to lead EAC while Ralph Robin added 14.
The scores:
San Beda 81 - Cortez 15, Payosing 14, Jopia 13, Royo 13, Puno 11, Tagle 6, Visser 6, Andrada 3, Alfaro 0, Cuntapay 0, Gonzales 0.
EAC 71 - Cosejo 18, Robin 14, Gurtiza 10, Maguliano 10, Quinal 5, Ochavo 4, Tolentino 3, Luciano 2, Loristo 2, Umpad 2, Angeles 1, Bacud 0.
Quarters: 22-9, 37-28, 57-47, 81-71.
—JMB, GMA Integrated News
