Five players breached double-figures as San Beda used a balanced attack to dismantle Emilio Aguinaldo College, 81-71 and get its Final Four bid back on track in the NCAA Season 99 men’s basketball tournament at the FilOil-EcoOil Arena in San Juan on Sunday, Nov. 5.

Jacob Cortez led the well-distributed scoring for the Red Lions, who established a sizeable lead that ballooned to as many as 17 points in the first half before simply fending off any attempts of comeback from the Generals.

He finished with 15 points while James Payosing and Clifford Jopia added 14 and 13 points, respectively, while also collecting eight rebounds apiece.

Aaron Royo chipped in 13 points including the and-1 play that doused a fourth-quarter EAC run and reestablished a 12-point lead, 74-62, under three minutes left. Jomel Puno posted a double-double of 11 points and 12 rebounds.

San Beda snapped a two-game slide with the win but more importantly kept itself in contention for one of the Final Four spots. 

The Red Lions improved to an 8-4 record in tie for the fourth spot with the College of St. Benilde Blazers.

Nat Cosejo had 18 points and eight rebounds to pace the Generals who managed to cut San Beda’s lead down to single digits numerous times in the contest but just couldn’t fight enough gear to breakthrough the nine-point barrier

Ralph Robin added 14, King Gurtiza and JP Maguliano with 10 apiece in a losing effort that dropped EAC to a 7-6 record.

The Scores:

SAN BEDA 81 - Cortez 15, Payosing 14, Jopia 13, Royo 13, Puno 11, Tagle 6, Viser 6, Andrada 3, Alfaro 0, Cuntapay 0, Gonzales 0

EAC 71 - Cosejo 18, Robin 14, Gurtiza 10, Maguliano 10, Quinal 5, Echavo 4, Tolentino 3, Luciano 2, Loristo 2, Umpad 2, Angeles 1, Bacud 0

Quarters: 22-9, 37-28, 57-47, 81-71