It’s really the players who worked hard for this.

DONALD Tankoua and San Beda dominate Letran. DAVID JOHN CUBANGBANG

San Beda University moved three wins away from claiming the first finals slot after trouncing Letran College, 75-63, for its 15th straight win in Season 95 National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) men’s basketball tournament yesterday at the Filoil Arena in San Juan City.

Calvin Oftana, Clint Doliguez, Evan Nelle and James Canlas delivered the goods for the Red Lions, who started the game with 17-1 run and never looked back to stretch their unbeaten record to 15-0.

“Winning this game is just an icing of the cake for us for the effort we had on practice in the past three days,” San Beda head coach Boyet Fernandez said.

Oftana fired 16 points on top of six rebounds and two assists, Doliguez had 13 markers with three rebounds and an assist, while Nelle and Canlas dropped 12 points apiece.

The Knights managed to get back in the game and even tied the game at 42-all but the Red Lions unleashed a 20-0 burst to end the third period and put the game away.

“It’s really the players who worked hard for this. Our defense really stepped up after that Letran’s 8-0 run in the third (quarter),” Fernandez said.

“At least we recovered due to our defensive mentality. We had some stops and then that 20-0 run. I always tell my boys, even if we’re up, Letran will be back because it has very good players,” he added.

Larry Muyang led Letran with 13 points and five rebounds while King Carilpio and Jerrick Balanza each had 11 points for the Knights, who dropped to 9-6.

In the first game, Emilio Aguinaldo College (EAC) notched its second straight win after edging University of Perpetual Help, 80-76.

Jethro Mendoza and Kriss Gurtiza carried the fight for the Generals, who rallied after trailing most of the way.

EAC unleashed a 26-14 run punctuated by a three-pointer of Mendoza to take a 75-69 lead with 4:31 remaining and the Generals never relinquished their lead to improve their win-loss mark to 3-11.

“They realized they won’t win through skill and talent alone. We have to stick on the game concept,” EAC head coach Oliver Bunyi said.

“Gurtiza was not supposed to play because he suffered knee strain two days ago but still, he delivered,” Bunyi added.

Mendoza scored a career-high 22 points to go along with three rebounds and two assists, while Gurtiza fired 13 markers on top of five boards and an assist for the Generals, who are playing just growth as their Final Four slot now is very slim.

“Our objective is to get better every day, every practice. We aren’t looking to our Final Four chances anymore. What we’re looking for is to have an improvement,” said Bunyi, adding that their last five games will be used as an opportunity to prepare for Season 96.

EAC’s win avenged its 87-88 loss to Perpetual last 20 August.

Rey Peralta led Perpetual with 21 points while added 14 points and 11 rebounds.

It was the fifth straight loss for the Altas, who dropped to 3-10.