MANILA – San Beda University Red Lions banked on its endgame poise to defeat San Sebastian College Golden Stags, 85-75, in the NCAA Season 100 men’s basketball tournament on Saturday at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
Holding to a slim 73-70 lead late in the fourth quarter, the Red Lions connected back-to-back three pointers from John Bryan Sajonia and Richi Calimag to stretch the lead to 79-70.
The Stags still tried to keep the match close at 75-81, but the Red Lions got two free throws from Jomel Puno and one each from Yukien Andrada and Sajonia to seal the win.
Pavia, Iloilo-native Sajonia finished with a career-high of 26 points to go with eight rebounds, four assists, two steals, and a block as the Red Lions improved to a 2-1 win-loss slate.
Andrada tallied a double-double of 21 points and 11 rebounds to be named Player of the Game, while Puno contributed 12 markers for the reigning NCAA champions Red Lions.
“I think the adjustments that we made is we were able to limit their strengths, the turnover points and rebounding, and we were also able to limit their point average,” said Red Lions head coach Yuri Escueta.
Reggz Gabat led the way for the Golden Stags with 19 points, Reymart Escobido added 14 points and seven rebounds, while Ameer Aguilar added 11 points as they dropped to 2-1.
Meanwhile, College of St. Benilde Blazers maintained their unblemished 3-0 slate after a dominant 77-55 rout of the Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals, which suffered their second straight defeat.
Winston Ynot spearheaded the offense for the Blazers with 16 points to go with seven rebounds, two assists, and one steal, while Justine Sanchez added a season-high of 14 markers.
Allen Liwag, formerly of the Generals, tallied seven points and 15 rebounds, while Anton Eusebio contributed nine markers, including back-to-back triples that gave the Blazers a 66-48 lead early in the fourth period./PN
BOX SCORE:
SAN BEDA 85 – Sajonia 26, Andrada 21, Puno 12, Payosing 7, Estacio 6, Royo 4, RC Calimag 4, Ri. Calimag 3, Culdora 2, Songcuya 0, Bonzalida 0, Celzo 0.
SAN SEBASTIAN 75 – Gabat R. 19, Escobido 14, Aguilar 11, Are 9, Felebrico 9, Gabat L. 8, Ricio 3, Velasco 2, Maliwat 0, Lintol 0, Pascual 0, Suico 0, Barroga 0.
Quarterscores: 21-12, 42-31, 58-51, 85-75.
