San Beda’s JB Bahio. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines—A focused veteran came up big in the latest installment of the Letran-San Beda rivalry in the NCAA Season 98 men’s basketball tournament.
JB Bahio, a graduating forward for the Red Lions, propelled the team to its first win against Letran since game two of the Season 95 finals in 2019.
“For me, I have been focused since last night. I meditated and it helped. Coach (Yuri Escueta) reminded me about my rebounds and I focused there. I put extra effort on the boards,” Bahio said after their 76-68 win at San Juan Arena on Friday.
The lanky big man notched a double-double of 16 points and 13 rebounds, including a clutch midrange basket in the dying seconds of the game.
Bahio also registered two steals and one block on the defense. The defensive anchor helped the team lock down the Knights to only 32.9 percent shooting from the field.
“As a senior and veteran, we really need to step up,” he added.
San Beda’s James Kwekuteye. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
San Beda’s leading scorer, James Kwekuteye, also acknowledged how easy the game is for him with Bahio on the court.
“Me and Bahio, our play is like butter. Other teams can double team me and I’ll find him in the post and he’ll take over or he can give me the ball if I’m feeling it,” the fellow graduating player said.
Kwekuteye also finished with a double-double, posting 17 points, 11 rebounds and five assists in the team’s third season win.
San Beda’s win puts the Red Lions in a triple-tie at the current team standings with Letran and Jose Rizal University, which also holds a 3-2 win-loss record.