San Beda University drew premium points from James Kwekuteye as it asserted its mastery over Arellano, 76-63, in the Season 98 National Collegiate Athletic Association basketball tournament on Wednesday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
Kwekuteye, the Filipino-Canadian recruit, fired a game-high 16 points, grabbed four rebounds, and had one assist for the Red Lions, who solidified their chances for a Final Four slot by improving to 8-4.
The first time the two squads met, San Beda rolled to a 96-61 win early last month.
The Red Lions dominated bench scoring, 36-21.
Head coach Yuri Escueta said the win was timely as every team is in a mad rush to score a victory with the second round entering a crucial phase.
"We'll take the win, of course, especially now that every win is very important with everyone searching for wins," Escueta said.
Still, it was a performance that didn't put a wide smile on Escueta's face.
"But I wanna get more from the guys. It's just that I really think that we played at Arellano's pace and my big challenge to them is to be the aggressor so but again I'll take this win.
Aside from Kwekuteye, JB Bahio also gave the Mendiola-based team something to look forward to by doing a double-double of 14 points and ten boards while Justine Sanchez chipped in ten points.
Axel Doromal had 12 for the Chiefs, who fell to 5-7.
Meanwhile, Mapua University diffused Jose Rizal University, 74-49, in the second game.
Joaquin Garcia led the Cardinals with 17 points, two rebounds, and two assists as they boosted their record to 5-9.
Rence Nocum also dropped 12 points for Mapua while Warren Bonifacio added 10.
Jonathan Medina shot 15 points and five rebounds for JRU, which now has a 5-5 slate.
The Scores:
SAN BEDA (76) — Kwekuteye 16, Bahio 10, Sanchez 10, Cortez 7, Alfaro 6, Payosing 6, Cuntapay 6, Tagala 5, Andrada 4, Ynot 2, Visser 2, Jopia 1, Cometa 1, Alloso 0, Tagle 0.
ARELLANO (63) — Doromal 12, Oftana 11, Sunga 10, Mallari 9, Mantua 8, Advincula 5, Oliva 3, Talampas 3, Tan 2, Domingo 0, Tolentino 0, Antonio 0, Ongotan 0, Menina 0.
QUARTERS: 15-13, 34-31, 63-45, 76-63.
Second game
MAPUA (74) — Garcia 17, Nocum 12, Bonifacio 10, Mercado 7, Hernandez 7, Cuenco 5, Pido 5, Lacap 4, Agustin 3, Salenga 2, Soriano 2.
JRU (49) — Medina 15, Dionisio 12, Dela Rosa 8, Miranda 4, Arenal 2, Amores 2, Sy 2, Celis 2, Guiab 1, Delos Santos 1, Tan 0, De Jesus 0, Villarin 0, Abaoag 0.
QUARTERS: 21-16, 38-31, 53-40, 74-49.
