Yukien Andrada waxed hot to tow San Beda University past University of Perpetual Help System DALTA, 57-53, on Friday in NCAA Season 100 at the Filoil EcoOil Center in San Juan.
The San Beda veteran drilled five triples en route to a 21-point outing as the the Red Lions completed an elimination round sweep of the ALTAs. Back in the first round, San Beda also won, 63-62.
The Mendiola-based squad improved to 8-4, while, Perpetual slipped to 5-7.
After trailing 19-8 in the first quarter, the Red Lions turned the tables around as they outscored the ALTAs, 21-7, 13 of which came from Andrada alone to claim a 29-26 at the end of the first half.
However, before the second period ended, Perpetual saw one of its crucial players down as Shawn Orgo was stretchered off the court for an apparent shoulder injury after his collision with San Beda's Emman Tagle.
The Red Lions continued to pound on Perpetual in the second half and had its biggest lead, 44-31, after an RC Calimag triple at the 2:41 mark of the third period.
Perpetual also tried to crawl its way back in the fourth period as it almost closed the gap and trailed 54-50 with 1:28 left behind the efforts of JP Boral and Christian Pagaran.
However, Penny Estacio delivered what eventually became the dagger as he connected from beyond the arc with less than a minute left.
Mark Gojo Cruz answered with his own triple, but time favored the Red Lions' side.
For San Beda head coach Yuri Escueta, defense was the key for San Beda.
"It's our defense, especially in the second quarter. I think we limited them to seven points and that's what fueled 'yung offense namin. That's what got Yuki open from stops, getting those transition baskets easier, especially against this good defensive team Perpetual," Escueta said.
Andrada was the only double-digit scorer for San Beda with 21 points, three rebounds, an assist, and a steal, while Bismarck Lina and Jomel Puno had nine and eight points, respectively.
Gojo Cruz, meanwhile, had 14 points for the ALTAs, while Jearico Nuñez and Pagaran had 11 and 10 points, respectively.
San Beda will take on last season's finals foe Mapua University, while Perpetual will try to bounce back on Tuesday when they go against Arellano University.
Scores:
San Beda 57 – Andrada 21, Lina 9, Puno 8, Estacio 6, Calimag 6, Tagle 4, Sajonia 3, Payosing 0, Bonzalida 0, Tagala 0, Songcuya 0, Celzo 0.
Perpetual 53 – Gojo Cruz 14, Nuñez 11, Pagaran 10, Abis 7, Boral 4, Manuel 3, Montemayor 3, Pizarro 1, Orgo 0, Gelsano 0.
Quarters: 8-19, 29-26, 44-38, 57-53.
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
