Red Lions stretch streak

CALVIN Oftana delivers for San Beda against EAC. DAVID JOHN CUBANGBANG

San Beda University kicked off its second-round campaign on a high note as it crushed Emilio Aguinaldo College (EAC), 98-66, in Season 95 National Collegiate Athletic Association men’s basketball tournament yesterday at the Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan.

Evan Nelle, Donald Tankoua and Clint Doliguez did wonders as they sparked an early run to erect a massive lead in the second period en route to an impressive 32-point victory.

The deficit is the largest in the league this season since San Beda clobbered University of Perpetual Help System Dalta by 46 points, 102-56, last 16 August that led to the leave of absence of Altas coach Frankie Lim.

Nelle, Tankoua and Doliguez delivered 13 points apiece while conniving for a total of 17 rebounds and 13 assists while AC Soberano and Calvin Oftana churned out 12 markers each for the Red Lions, who trailed in the first period, 10-12, before stepping on the gas.

With that, San Beda formally booked its 10th straight win this season to stretch its winning streak to 22 dating back to last year.

The last time the Red Lions lost was when it suffered a 73-66 setback to CJ Perez and Lyceum of the Philippines University on 12 August 2018. Since then, San Beda was invincible as it swept its next matches, including the best-of-three finals series with the Pirates.

From being downed in the first few minutes of the opening period, Doliguez took the offensive cudgels, knocking down a trey that sparked a massive 38-17 rally to walk into the halftime period enjoying a 54-23 lead.

The Lions never looked back as Tankoua and Doliguez completely took over in the third and fourth cantos.

“EAC really did a good job in the first quarter. We should not do it again. We should always have a strong start,” San Beda coach Boyet Fernandez said.

“I’m happy that we played good defense in the second quarter, which resulted to our wide lead. ”

Fernandez said although speculations of winning another title are starting to float, they should not be complacent as other teams are also making some key adjustments to knock the crown off their heads.