San Beda, Mapua back on winning track

Games today:

(Filoil EcoOil Centre)

11 a.m. — Letran vs JRU

2:30 p.m. — Perpetual vs San Sebastian

San Beda University snapped a two-game losing streak after escaping College of Saint Benilde, 80-76, in Season 101 of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Season 101 men’s basketball tournament at the Filoil EcoOil Centre yesterday.

Yukien Andrada and Bryan Sajonia led the Red Lions, towing them back on the winning track for a 7-3 win-loss record in Group A of the preliminaries.

Also regaining its groove is Mapua University, which booked a 78-73 triumph over Lyceum of the Philippines University in the first game.

Yam Concepion led the Cardinals with 15 points, highlighted by a crucial basket in the final 2:01 that lifted the Cardinals to their fifth win in 10 matches in Group A.

Andrada fired 23 points while Sajonia chipped in 22 markers, much to the delight of assistant coach Andre Santos, who stressed that the battle was an ultimate test of character for his wards, especially after suffering a heartbreaking 85-88 triple-overtime loss to University of Perpetual Help System Dalta on 29 October and 66-78 setback to Lyceum of the Philippines University last Tuesday.

“What we have seen is that the hardships we have been through allowed us to play the way we did today. We came from two tough losses but it showed us that we needed each other,” said Santos, whose wards doused cold water on the Blazers’ blazing from an 18-point deficit to preserve the victory.

Fortunately for San Beda, Sajonia and rookie Janti Miller nailed crucial baskets in the final stretch to bail it out of trouble.

“It’s a good lesson for us. We’re happy we got the win but it is something we will bring in our next games.”

Despite having an 18-point lead in the fourth quarter, San Beda had to repel the Blazers’ fourth-quarter surge to get the win.

Meanwhile, Perpetual will gun for its ninth win when it battles San Sebastian College at the same San Juan City venue on Saturday.

Action is set at 2:30 p.m. following the 11 a.m, encounter between Letran College and Jose Rizal University.