San Beda University fended off University of Perpetual Help System DALTA, taking a 78-71 decision to clinch a play-in spot in the NCAA Season 97 seniors basketball tournament, Wednesday at La Salle Green Hills’ St. Benilde Gym in Mandaluyong City.
With its sixth win, the Red Lions assured themselves of a place in the postseason.
The bench mob composed of the Red Lions rookies lit up the team’s offense as Yukien Andrada scored 11 of his 15 points in the second period when San Beda first took a 16-point lead, 46-30.
The former Red Cub was efficient as scored on a 62.5-percent shooting clip in just 16 minutes of play to go with four rebounds, one assist, and one steal.
Rhyann Amsali also came off the bench and finished with nine points, five rebounds, two assists, and one steal.
“We’re happy we got this win,” Fernandez said. “We’re really preparing hard for Perpetual. We all know that Perpetual is a very strong team. Those three guys, [Jielo] Razon, [Jeff] Egan, and [Kim] Aurin did well in the past games. But I give credit to coach Myk (Saguiguit), they blocked us in our first five. That put us a little off.
“But I have to thank my players. They really played within our system and they followed our game plan,” he added.
The Altas tried to make a game out of it when they mounted an 8-0 run late in the fourth quarter, forcing Fernandez to call for a time out as the lead dwindled down to 7, 67-74, with 1:24 remaining.
Carlo Ferreras and Jielo Razon drilled back-to-back treys before Lean Martel cleaned up a missed Rey Barcuma attempt from deep.
That turned out to be the final straw in the comeback attempt as Andrada found Peter Alfaro inside for an under-goal stab to put the lead at a more comfortable 76-67, with 1:24 remaining.
James Canlas poured in 18 points including the dagger jumper late in the game, adding one rebound, two steals, and a block. Alfaro added nine markers, six rebounds, and an assist while Rhayyan Amsali got nine points as well with five rebounds, two assists, and a steal.
The Altas slipped down to 2-5 for the eighth spot.
Razon carried the fight for the Altas with 15 points, seven boards, six assists, and three steals, while Aurin struggled early before finishing with 16 points, three rebounds, one assist, and one steal. Egan, though, was limited to two points, two rebounds, and four assists.
Cris Pagaran and Lean Martel chipped in 13 and 12 points, respectively.
San Beda will look to keep its unscathed record pristine against the in-form Mapua University (5-2) on April 23 at 12 NN. Meanwhile, Perpetual looks to bounce back as it faces Lyceum of the Philippines University (1-5) on April 24 at 12 NN.
The Scores:
San Beda 78 – Canlas 18, Andrada 15, Amsali 9, Alfaro 9, Cuntapay 6, Ynot 5, Penuela 4, Bahio 4, Jopia 4, Gallego 2, Cometa 2, Villejo 0, Viser 0, Sanchez 0, Abuda 0.
Perpetual 71 – Aurin 16, Razon 15, Pagaran 13, Martel 12, Ferreras 3, Boral 3, Egan 2, Sevilla 2, Abis 2, Cuevas 1, Barcuma 0, Nunez 0, Kawamura 0.
Quarterscores: 16-16, 48-34, 64-50, 78-71.
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