MANILA — Defending champion San Beda University secured the top seed in Group A of the NCAA Season 102 men’s basketball quarterfinals with a commanding 82-69 victory over College of St. Benilde, while Colegio de San Juan de Letran claimed Group B supremacy with a thrilling 85-83 escape against University of Perpetual Help.
Rookie Andrei Ugaddan powered the Red Lions with 18 points, five rebounds, one steal and a block as San Beda finished the elimination round with a 10-3 record at the Playtime FilOil Centre in San Juan.
The Red Lions tied Jose Rizal University atop Group A but secured the No. 1 ranking through their two victories over the Heavy Bombers in the preliminary round.
“Sa ensayo, talagang tinatrabaho namin at kita naman, mas pinagbutihan din namin ‘yong defense namin,” Ugaddan said.
Jimmy Reyes added 12 points, while Aldous Torculas and John Bonzalida chipped in 11 and 10, respectively, as San Beda overwhelmed the Blazers.
The Red Lions now await the winner of the Group B play-in series between Perpetual Help and winless San Sebastian College, with the Altas holding a twice-to-beat advantage.
Benilde, which slipped to 8-5 and finished third in Group A, will face Group B second seed Emilio Aguinaldo College in the quarterfinals.
Meanwhile, Jimboy Estrada delivered the decisive blow for Letran, sinking a go-ahead three-pointer in the closing seconds to lift the Knights past Perpetual Help and secure Group B’s top seed with a 9-4 record.
Estrada finished with 19 points, four assists and three rebounds, while Chad Gammad matched his scoring output with 19 points, three rebounds and three assists.
Justin Cargo contributed 11 points and Kevin Santos added 10 for the Knights.
Perpetual Help, which finished fourth in Group B at 4-9, drew 12 points from Tulabut, while Gelo Gelsano posted 11 points and 10 rebounds in the losing effort./PN
