INQUIRER Sports

MANILA, Philippines - With a fluid performance featuring an electrifying alley-hoop dunk, sublime fastbreak plays and a powerful inside game, defending champion San Beda showed Arellano U a glimpse of the recipe to success in the NCAA.

The Red Lions, seeking a fourth straight crown, returned to their winning ways by overwhelming the Chiefs, 102-74, Monday at the FilOil Flying V Arena in San Juan.

“It’s all about preparation,” said San Beda coach Frankie Lim, whose team bounced back from a 77-83 setback to San Sebastian last week.

“I felt Arellano is a dangerous team. But we came out strong, defended their shooters and beat their press in the first half.”

In halting the Chiefs’ two-game winning run, the Red Lions led by as many as 31 on their way to tying their victims for fourth. They also became the first team in four years to breach the 100-point barrier since Mapua beat San Sebastian, 100-72, in 2005.

Earlier, guest team Angeles University Foundation registered its first win at the expense of fellow newcomer Emilio Aguinaldo College, 86-75.

In juniors’ play, San Beda whipped Arellano, 106-51, to gain the solo lead with its third victory while the EAC Brigadiers trounced the AUF Junior Danes, 78-62.

The varsity scores:

Third Game
AUF 86—Santos 29, Carney 24, Fuertez 12, Gomez 11, Gigante 8, Henson 2, Musni 0, Manarang 0, Maniago 0.

EAC 75—R Yaya 21, Mendoza 19, Santos 15, Cubo 9, Jabaybay 7, L. Yaya 2, Diolant 2, Sablan 0, Pingol 0, Ong 0, del Rosario 0, Chong 0.
Quarters: 17-18, 40-41, 68-53, 86-75

Fourth Game
SAN BEDA 102—Lanete 20, Daniel 14, Hermida 14, Taganas 14, Marcelo 11, Pascual 10, Gamalinda 9, Dela Rosa 5, Tecson 3, Caram 2, Lim 0.

ARELLANO 74—Celada 17, Rivera 14, Reducto 8, G. Ciriacruz 8, Apostol 8, Miranda 6, Miranda 5, Tayongtong 4, Agustin 4, I. Ciriacruz 0, Anquillo 0.
Quarters: 20-14, 50-34, 79-51, 102-74