San Beda Red Lions’ Tony Ynot. –NCAA PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines—San Beda returned to the win column while eliminating Emilio Aguinaldo College from Final Four contention, 72-64, at San Juan Arena on Tuesday.
The Red Lions banked on a late game rally to improve to 7-4 and remain solid at fourth spot. The Generals, on the other hand, will not make it to the playoffs even if they sweep their last five games.
“First, I have to give props to EAC, they played well. This game shows a lot about our composure and our mental toughness [in the fourth]. They really helped pick each other up,” coach Yuri Escueta said.
The Generals were on San Beda’s tail the whole game including the end of the third quarter when they only trailed by three, 54-51.
But the Red Lions then roared to the tune of an 11-3 run to pull away for a 65-54 with 2:27 remaining in the game.
San Beda lost a few points from their advantage, 67-61, but James Kwekuteye sank two composed free throws to seal the deal, 69-61, with 1:11 left. Kwekuteye almost finished with a double-double with 13 points and nine rebounds.
Tony Ynot, however, notched one while also scoring a career-high 25 points and 10 rebounds for the Red Lions.
JP Maguliano finished with 11 markers and nine boards on a losing effort while Allen Liwag scored 10 for the Generals, who dropped to a 1-12 record.
The Scores:
SAN BEDA 72 — Ynot 25, Kwekuteye 13, Andrada 9, Bahio 7, Alfaro 5, Visser 4, Jopia 3, Cortez 2, Cometa 2, Cuntapay 2, Sanchez 0, Payosing 0.
EAC 64 — Maguliano 11, Liwag 10, Balowa 9, Cosa 9, Cosejo 7, Ad. Doria 5, Luciano 4, Angeles 4, Dominguez 3, Cabuhat 2, Tolentino 0, Umpad 0, Bacud 0. Quarters: 21-17, 41-38, 54-51, 72-64.