San Beda remained spotless in three games after holding off a pesky Jose Rizal University side, 67-53, in the NCAA Season 97 senior men’s basketball tournament on Sunday, April 3.
The Red Lions made the adjustments in the second half as they tightened up the defense in the payoff period to finally shake off the Heavy Bombers and notch their third straight victory and get a share of the early lead in the standing with the Letran Knights.
JRU hung tough in the first three quarters only trailing by three, 47-44, heading into the final frame before San Beda limited JRU to only one field goal in the last eight minutes of the game.
The Red Lions also got a huge lift from big man Damie Cuntapay who scored all of his eight points to capitalize on the Heavy Bomber dryspell sparking a 12-1 spurt to give his team the first double-digit spread of the game, 61-50 which they never relinquished until the final buzzer.
James Kwekuteye provided the steady presence for San Beda finishing with a near-double-double of 17 points and nine rebounds while Ralph Penuela added 11 markers. Jb Bahio also scattered 10 boards and eight points.
JRU, which outrebounded San Beda in the first three quarters, kept itself within striking distance and only trailed by five, 32-27 ,at the half. The Heavy Bombers even managed to tie the game twice in the second half, first one at 35-all after an 8-3 spurt to start the third quarter.
A JL Delos Santos layup tied the game once more at 49-all early in the fourth quarter before the Heavy Bombers suffered the long offensive drought that caused them the game.
JRU shot a measly 14-percent clip from beyond the arc while its 53-point output is currently the lowest a team has scored in this season.
The Scores:
San Beda 67 -- Kwekuteye 17, Penuela 11, Bahio 8, Cuntapay 8, Ynot 8, Amsali 5, Alfaro 4, Andrada 4, Abuda 2, Cometa 0, Gallego 0.
JRU 53 -- Dionisio 10, Delos Santos 9, Gonzales G. 8, Bongay 7, Celis 6, Macatangay 4, Agbong 3, Jungco 2, Arenal 2, Gonzales C. 2, Aguilar 0, Aguado 0, Guiab 0.
Quarters: 13-16, 32-27, 47-44, 67-53