San Beda University bounced back and vented its ire on Jose Rizal University, 77-60, on Saturday in NCAA Season 100 at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
The Red Lions improved to 3-2, while the Heavy Bombers slipped to 1-4.
After a tight first quarter which ended at 16-14 in the Red Lions' favor, the Mendiola-based squad continued to pound in the second quarter as it limited the Heavy Bombers to just eight points against their 30-point outburst. San Beda ended the first half with a 46-22 lead.
Shawn Argente had other plans, however, as he had 16 points in the third quarter alone as the Heavy Bombers inched closer, 51-41, at the 4:43 mark of the third period. However, back-to-back triples from Yukien Andrada and Emman Tagle, followed by a split from Jomel Puno gave San Beda a 17-point lead.
The Red Lions, who came off a historic loss against Emilio Aguinaldo College last Tuesday, then continued to pound on the Heavy Bombers until the final buzzer.
"I had to give it to the boys on how they played today. They came out swinging. The energy and effort was really there, right there from the start," San Beda head coach Yuri Escueta said.
Andrada registered a double-double of 16 points and 10 rebounds, along with three assists, while Bryan Sajonia added 14 points. Puno and James Payosing chipped in 13 points apiece.
"It was a devastating loss, but we stayed together, we picked each other up and tinrabaho talaga namin sa training. These past few days, we worked really hard, we gave our hundred percent every single day in training and it showed naman sa laro namin," said Andrada.
The win spoiled Argente's career-high 27 points, as he also had two boards, two steals, and an assist.
San Beda will have a break as it will take on Arellano University on Saturday, but the Chiefs will face JRU first on Wednesday.
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
