San Beda’s James Kwekuteye. NCAA PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines—San Beda returned the favor to Mapua with a 71-63 win in the NCAA Season 98 men’s basketball tournament at San Juan Arena on Saturday.
The Red Lions, who improved to 10-5, eliminated the Cardinals from Final Four contention, knocking off the same team that bounced them out of the playoffs last season.
“Mapua was the one who eliminated them last season so I did not need to tell them anything. They were the ones who motivated themselves. This was an opportunity for them to get the win, it’s just a bonus that it was against them,” said coach Yuri Escueta, who is in his first season at the helm for San Beda.
James Kwekuteye finished with a game-high 25 points, including a clutch triple as part of an 8-2 San Beda spurt to clinch the game, 70-63, with only a minute to go.
Justine Sanchez added 11 points and nine rebounds for the Lions, who also halted the Cardinals’ four-game winning streak.
Warren Bonifacio tallied 21 points and seven boards in a losing effort for Mapua, which dropped to a 6-10 record.
The Scores:
SAN BEDA 71 — Kwekuteye 25, Sanchez 11, Ynot 9, Andrada 7, Cortez 5, Cuntapay 5, Visser 4, Bahio 2, Cometa 2, Alfaro 1, Payosing 0, Penuela 0.
MAPUA 63 — Bonifacio 21, Pido 13, Hernandez 12, Nocum 7, Salenga 4, Mercado 2, Cuenco 2, Soriano 2, Garcia 0, Agustin 0, Lacap 0.
Quarters: 19-16, 39-34, 52-45, 71-63.