Art Dela Cruz celebrates. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
San Beda relied on its old leaders as the defending NCAA Champions pounced on Jose Rizal University, 88-69, Thursday at San Juan Arena.
Art Dela Cruz took over in the second half scoring 18 of his 29 points in the final two quarters to lift the Red Lions to a 6-1 win-loss record.
Red Lions head coach Jamike Jarin was impressed with his team’s composure and ball-handling as his team managed to limit its turnovers to 14 against a defensive Heavy Bombers team.
“We had less than 20 turnovers against a team who presses well so that’s a good sign for us,” Jarin said as his team had 17 assists.
San Beda had a comfortable 12-point lead, 55-43, midway through the third until Paolo Pontejos sparked JRU’s 13-3 raid to close the gap at 58-56 early in the fourth.
Dela Cruz then continued his impressive showing as the Red Lions scored 30 compared to JRU’s 15 in the final period.
Dan Sara and Ola Adeogun added 17 and 16 points respectively for the Red Lions.
Teytey Teodoro had 16 points for the 4-3 Heavy Bombers. CFC