Reasons to smile
Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
San Beda faced a stern test but leaned on a strong fourth quarter to subdue Mapua, 69-60, on Friday to forge a first-round sweep of the NCAA Season 95 men’s basketball tournament at Cuneta Astrodome.
Calvin Oftana, who has been brilliant in this nine-game win run by the defending champion, ended the first round with 24 points, 12 rebounds and five assists, even as James Kwekuteye and Donald Tankoua each scored 10 points for the Red Lions.
“To be honest, not everybody expected us to be here right now,” San Beda coach Boyet Fernandez said. “I’m happy that we are still winning games.”
Jerrick Balanza, meanwhile, is simply happy. Period.
The Letran standout turned 23 on Friday and his Knights whipped St. Benilde, 88-64, in what has become a celebration of life for Balanza.
“I’m just really happy to have this one and I hope to have many more [birthdays] to come,” Balanza said. “I’m just trying to make the most of what I have now.”
It was exactly a year ago today when Balanza was diagnosed with a brain tumor, but with the entire NCAA rallying around him, he made a remarkable recovery.
On Friday, the 6-foot-2 guard lit up for the Knights with 26 points on 8-of-13 shooting from the field and 4-of-8 from beyond the three-point line.
His heroics allowed Letran to forge a four-way tie at second place with Lyceum, St. Benilde and San Sebastian at 6-3.
Kendrix Belgica had 12 points and seven rebounds for the Blazers, who have now lost three of their last four contests.
The Red Lions, who trailed 45-44 late in the third, outscored the Cardinals 20-15 in the fourth period to end Mapua’s three-game winning streak and send it to the second round on the seat of a 3-6 card.
San Sebastian notched its sixth win after it tripped Arellano University, 85-79, in the other college match Friday.
Allyn Bulanadi led all scorers with 22 points, seven rebounds, and two steals for San Sebastian while JM Calma had a 17-point, 10-rebound double-double.
RK Ilagan also finished in double figures for San Sebastian with 12 points to go along with four assists.
Justin Arana had 13 points and 10 rebounds while Kent Salado put up 13 points and six assists for the Chiefs, who dropped to a 2-7 record.
