Mandaluyong City (CNN Philippines, April 19) — San Beda University Red Lions stay undefeated in NCAA Season 97 after defeating the Arellano University Chiefs, 82-68, on Sunday at the La Salle Greenhills Gym.
James Kwekuteye notched 14 points and four rebounds, while Gab Cometa added 11 markers to stretch their unbeaten slate to 5-0.
The two squads were in a close fight in the first quarter, but the Red Lions got a lucky break after the Chiefs’ versatile big man Justin Arana incurred three fouls early in the match.
A 30-point explosion in the second quarter propelled San Beda to a double-digit lead, led by the scoring exploits of Cometa, who scored all his points in the first half.
The Red Lions tallied their highest lead of the game at 22 points in the third quarter with Kwekuteye and Ralph Penuela joining the scoring attack.
Arellano managed to decrease their deficit to 11 points in the middle of the fourth period, 59-70, but an 8-0 scoring run was unleashed by San Beda from rookies Rhayvan Amsali and Tony Ynot.
“Our game plan is to really push the ball early. We thought that if we can run it or we can miss or make the basket or when Arellano make or miss the shot in the basket, we just push our primary offense and do our motion offense,” San Beda head coach Boyet Fernandez said in the post-game interview.
Fernandez also lauded his bench players, who delivered 41 points in their victory.
“They really stepped up before the second quarter especially Cometa, Justine Sanchez, and JV Gallego. In our next games, I expect my bench to step up and support our starting unit,” he said.
San Beda looks to extend their flawless run to six games against Perpetual Help on Wednesday while Arellano seeks to return to their winning ways against Lyceum on Friday.
The Scores:
SAN BEDA 82 — Kwekuteye 14, Cometa 11, Penuela 9, Ynot 9, Bahio 8, Amsali 8, Sanchez 8, Cuntapay 6, Alfaro 4, Gallego 3, Visser 2, Villejo 0, Abuda 0, Andrada 0, Jopia 0.
ARELLANO 68 – Doromal 16, Sablan 10, Valencia 9, Cruz 8, Arana 7, Concepcion 7, Steinl 4, Sta. Ana 3, Abastillas 2, Caballero 2, Oliva 0.
Quarterscores: 17-15, 47-32, 66-52, 82-68.
