MANILA, Philippines–San Beda worked on team chemistry all day and still had enough power to destroy Emilio Aguinaldo, 85-81, and score its second consecutive win in the NCAA Season 97 men’s basketball at La Salle Greenhills.
Red Lions’ coach Boyet Fernandez shuffled his players to get the right mix on which to latch their bid. They found James Kwekuteye, John Gallego, Ralph Penuela and Rhayyan Amsali, among others, worthy of carrying them down the season.
San Beda is now on top with a 2-0 record, tying first game winner Letran. EAC slumped to 0-2.
Ralph Robin, JP Maguliano and Marwin Taywan attempted to carry the Generals, scoring in double figures. Together they managed to help the team close the gap and prevent the Red Lions from pulling away in the first half.
But the next two quarters proved even more difficult for EAC as San Beda deployed its second unit that included Gallego and Kwekuteye.
“I’m with the second unit in the team and our task is to deliver if our first team has a slow start,” said Gallego in Flipino. He finished with 15 points. “We are just ready, one man-up, whenever we are called in to play.’
They sure did as Kwekuteye topscored with 16 markers, while Amsali and Penuela each added 13 points.
“This (EAC) is a dangerous team we can’t take them lightly. It’s just a matter of us executing our game plan well,” added Fernandez.
Taywan hit a three-pointer in the final 31 seconds to move to within 83-78. But Amsali next flicked close-range basket with 10 seconds to go, only to see Robin nailed another three-pointer in last 1.8 seconds for the Generals’ last stand.