Tony Ynot caught fire and carried the cudgels for San Beda to beat Emilio Aguinaldo College, 72-64, in the second round of the NCAA Season 98 men's basketball tournament Tuesday, Oct. 25, at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City.
Ynot led all scorers with 25 points on an efficient 10-of-14 shooting along with 10 rebounds, three assists and three steals to lift the Red Lions to a 7-4 record.
James Kwekuteye, who made key baskets down the stretch, joined in the fray with 13 points, nine rebounds, and three steals while Yukien Andrada added nine points for San Beda for the bounce back victory.
This after San Beda absorbed a 75-72 overtime loss at the hands of Perpetual last Oct. 22.
After a nip-and-tuck affair heading into the payoff period, 54-51, Ynot took charge for the Lions and led a commanding 11-4 run en route to a 67-58 lead with 1:20 to go.
Ynot, who earlier chalked up 14 points in the first half, scored six points in that spurt before Art Cosa pumped life for the embattled Generals, who fell to a 1-12 hole, when he fired two straight treys to put the match within striking distance.
Kwekuteye, however, showed poise and sank two free throws and converted another basket off a steal in the waning seconds to ice the game.
JP Maguliano paced the Generals with 11 points and nine rebounds, Allen Liwag finally made noise with 10 points and seven rebounds, while Adrian Balowa and Cosa had nine points apiece with the former grabbing nine rebounds as well.
The loss also spelled doom for its campaign if it wins the next couple of games ahead as San Beda virtually eliminated EAC from the playoff contention.
The Scores:
SAN BEDA 72 -- Ynot 25, Kwekuteye 13, Andrada 9, Bahio 7, Alfaro 5, Visser 4, Jopia 3, Cortez 2, Cometa 2, Cuntapay 2, Sanchez 0, Payosing 0.
EAC 64 -- Maguliano 11, Liwag 10, Balowa 9, Cosa 9, Cosejo 7, Ad. Doria 5, Luciano 4, Angeles 4, Dominguez 3, Cabuhat 2, Tolentino 0, Umpad 0, Bacud 0.
Quarters: 21-17, 41-38, 54-51, 72-64.