Jacob Cortez took care of business and kept San Beda's semifinal run alive in NCAA Season 99 courtesy of a dominant 89-68 win over Lyceum in the men’s basketball tournament on Tuesday, Nov. 28, at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

Cortez, who poured in a career-high of 28 points that went with four rebounds, eight assists, and three steals, led the Red Lions' fourth-quarter surge that proved too hot to handle for the Pirates as the series goes to a deciding match on Friday, Dec. 1.

Cortez got ample support from Yukien Andrada and Nygel Gonzales who both finished with 12 points for the Mendiola-based squad.

SBU head coach Yuri Escueta reminded his players before the game to keep their focus and keep it one game at a time.

“I just told my players to just stay in the present and focus lang tayo sa game na to,” Escueta stressed.

“We know what we need to do, we have to lock in defensively” he added.

San Beda got off to a roaring start as Cortez went perfect with a 5-of-5 shooting in the first half for 14 points.

Lyceum trimmed the lead to 13, 60-73, but that was the closest they could get as the Red Lions fired from all angles and denied the Pirates from getting too close.

Enoch Valdez finished with 14 points and nine rebounds while Mclaude Guadana and John Barba added 12 and 10 points, respectively.

Second Game

San Beda 89- Cortez 28, Andrada 12, Gonzales 12, Payosing 9, Puno 7, Visser 6, Tagle 6, Jopia 6, Alfaro 2, Cuntapay 1, Tagala 0, Torres 0

LPU 68- Valdez 14, Guadana 12, Barba 10, Cunanan 9, Umali 8, Villegas 6, Bravo 4, Montano 3, Omandac 2, Penafiel 0, Saure 0, Fuentes 0, Versoza 0

Quarterscores: 22-16; 52-38; 73-60; 89-68