NCAA: San Beda turns back Mapua for 1st round sweep

MANILA, Philippines—San Beda used a strong fourth quarter to subdue Mapua, 69-60, and get a clean sweep of the first round of the NCAA Season 95 men’s basketball tournament Friday at Cuneta Astrodome.

The Red Lions, who trailed 45-44 late in the third, outscored the Cardinals 20-15 in the fourth period to get to a 9-0 record at the end of the first half of the eliminations.

“To be honest, everybody doesn’t expect us to be here right now,” said San Beda coach Boyet Fernandez. “I’m happy that we are winning games but we still have a long way to go

No one in San Beda showed more delight in putting the buckets than Calvin Oftana who had 10 points in the final frame en route to 24 points with 12 rebounds, five assists, and two blocks.

Oftana rubbed it in when he jammed the rock to cap a 10-2 run giving the Red Lions a 54-47 lead in the fourth quarter.

Donald Tankoua had a near double-double of 10 points and nine rebounds while Kames Kwekuteye had 10 points and five boards.

Paolo Hernandez had 16 points to lead the Cardinals who dropped to a 3-6 record.