San Beda University never eased on the gas pedal, cruising to a dominant 89-59 win against its first-round tormentor Emilio Aguinaldo College in NCAA Season 100 on Wednesday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre.
The Red Lions, who fell to the same team by 13 points last month, closed in on a Final Four spot by staying at the third spot with a 10-5 card.
The Generals fell to 7-8, forging a tight three-team logjam at the fourth spot with Colegio de San Juan de Letran and Lyceum of the Philippines University as the elimination roun approaches its final stretch.
“Tingin ko lang [ang difference sa last game namin sa EAC ay] ‘yung focus namin and energy namin to execute the game plan,” San Beda head coach Yuri Escueta said.
“Hats off to our guys for being able to execute.”
The Red Lions made sure to start strong, riding on the hot hands of Emman Tagle who erupted for 17 big points in the first two quarters to help the defending champions establish a 48-29 halftime lead.
It was all San Beda from that point with veteran Yuki Andrada pouring in flurry if baskets in the third period, which ended with the Red Lions enjoying a 66-35 cushion after limiting EAC to a dismal six points.
The Generals tried to stage a comeback similar to their come-from-behind win over Perpetual last month behind Axel Doromal and King Gurtiza, but the Red Lions never looked back on the way to the win.
Tagle posted 20 points off the bench while the returning Bismarck Lina churned out 18 markers also off the bench. Andrada finished with 14 to go with five rebounds and five assists.
San Beda put the clamps on the EAC duo of Gur to Gurtiza and Harvey Pagsanjan, who eere both held to 10 poins apiece in the lopsided loss.
Scores:
San Beda 89 – Tagle 20, Lina 18, Andrada 14, Royo 9, Puno 9, Songcuya 6, Tagala 5, Gonzales 3, Payosing 3, RC Calimag 2, Estacio 0, Bonzalida 0, Celzo 0, Richi Calimag 0.
EAC 59 – Gurtiza 10, Pagsanjan 10, Doromal 6, Bacud 6, Quinal 5, Loristo 5, Oftana 5, Ednilag 4, Ochavo 2, Jacob 2, Postanes 2, Lucero 2, Luciano 0, Bagay 0, Umpad 0.
Quarters: 24-17, 48-29, 66-35, 89-59.
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
