Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 26) – San Beda Red Lions fended off the fourth quarter scoring surge staged by the College of St. Benilde Blazers, 67-63, in NCAA Season 97 on Tuesday at the La Salle Greenhills Gym.
James Kwekuteye paced the Red Lions with a double-double effort of 13 points, 10 rebounds, and three steals, highlighted by his dagger triple in the last 50 seconds of the match that ensured the victory for the Mendiola-based dribblers.
San Beda was determined to bounce back from its first defeat of the season against Mapua on Saturday as all players stepped up in their offensive and defensive schemes in the first three quarters that saw them led by 14 points.
A big factor in the well-balanced attack of the Boyet Fernandez-mentored San Beda side is its bench players, who scored a total of 43 points compared to CSB’s 25.
In the final period, the Blazers executed offensive adjustments and pushed the Red Lions to the limit to unleash a 12-0 scoring run and tie the game at 63-all.
Two triples from AJ Benson and Prince Carlos and the game-tying jump shot from Ladis Lepalam under the last three minutes of the contest capped the CSB offensive rally.
After the Kwekuteye dagger trey, the Blazers had many chances to force an overtime from their offensive rebounds but they missed three outside attempts down the stretch.
Even in their final possession off a timeout with over 10 seconds left in the game, lady luck was not on the side of CSB after sniper Robi Nayve was fouled by Red Lions big man JB Bahio in the three-point line. Nayve failed to convert any of his three free-throws.
Peter Alfaro sank one of his two freebies in the final play of the game as San Beda tightened its hold on the second spot with a 7-1 record.
Nayve top-scored for CSB with 14 points while Lepalam added 12 markers as they close their season with a 5-4 slate, assured of the fourth seed in the play-in tournament.
The win is a morale booster for San Beda, which will face archrival and unbeaten Letran Knights in the final eliminations game of NCAA Season 97 on Friday.
The Scores:
SAN BEDA 67 – Kwekuteye 13, Cortez 7, Bahio 6, Penuela 6, Jopia 6, Ynot 6, Cuntapay 6, Cometa 5, Andrada 5, Abuda 4, Gallego 2, Alfaro 1, Amsali 0, Visser 0.
ST. BENILDE 63 – Nayve 14, Lepalam 12, Cullar 10, Gozum 10, Carlos 9, Benson 6, Publico 2, Lim 0, Flores 0, Marcos 0, Sangco 0, Corteza 0, Tateishi 0.
Quarterscores: 16-13, 37-27, 57-44, 67-63.
