Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — After dropping their last assignment, the San Beda Red Lions made amends with a 75-65 victory over the Mapua Cardinals in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) on Friday (September 25) at The Arena in San Juan.
Art Dela Cruz paced the Red Lions with 17 points and 14 rebounds.
After entering the half with a comfortable 41-26, San Beda let their foot off the pedal and allowed the Cardinals to come as close as 58-56 in the final period.
But it was all for naught as the Red Lions held firm in the final stretch to put a stop to the Cardinals 6-game winning streak, 75-65.
In the next match of the day, the JRU Heavy Bombers overturned a sizable halftime deficit against the Perpetual Help Altas to come away with the win, 62-60.
Paulo Pontejos led the Heavy Bombers with 19 markers.
The Altas squandered a 38-26 lead after two quarters, as the Heavy Bombers started the second half with renewed vigor to claim the 55-52 advantage after the third quarter.
It was nip-and-tuck in the final period, but a strong defensive effort from JRU stifled the Perpetual offense enough for them to claim a slim 62-60 victory.
In the final contest of the day, the Letran Knights took home a hard-earned 87-81 victory over the Arellano University Chiefs.
