NCAA: San Beda torches EAC behind hot-shooting Emman Tagle

San Beda guard Emman Tagle shoots against EAC in NCAA Season 100.–NCAA PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines–Emman Tagle has begun to wield his championship mentality in the homestretch of the NCAA Season 100.

San Beda’s sneaky guard exploded from the outside early, leading the Red Lions’ demolition job of the Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals, 89-59, on Wednesday at the Filoil EcoOil Arena in San Juan.

“We were champions last season. We had lost several players from that core, but we want the league to know that we are still a strong team,” said Tagle after pacing the defending champions with 20 points highlighted by five threes.

READ: NCAA: Shorthanded San Beda leans on James Payosing to beat JRU

Aside from exacting sweet revenge over the Generals, who defeated them convincingly in the first round, the Lions’ 10th victory in 15 games is certainly a statement performance going into the final stretch of the second round.

Bismarck Lina, activated from the injury roster after two weeks, was a dominating force in the middle, scoring 18 points in an assortment of shots around the rim and from the perimeter as the Lions built an early double-digit headway.

Team captain Yukien Andrada fired most of his 14 points, including three three-pointers, in their crazy first-half run, quickly breaking the resolve of the Generals.

“It’s just we want to improve as the season progresses. Building our confidence is important going into the playoffs,” said San Beda coach Yuri Escueta.

Lina’s 12-footer from elbow gave the Lions their widest margin, 66-35, an abysmal hole the Generals failed to overcome.

READ: NCAA: Chris Hubilla, Marc Cuenco push Mapua past San Beda

King Gurtiza and Harvey Pagsanjan tallied 10 points each for the Generals, who fell into a three-way tie for fourth with the Letran Knights and the Lyceum Pirates, all of them carrying identical 7-8 slates.

As for the Lions, one more victory and they’ll be guaranteed a Final Four slot in a bid to join leader College of St. Benilde and Mapua.

“The key is for our guys to be back 100 percent and hopefully, we do peak at the right time,’’ said Escueta.

The scores:

SAN BEDA 89 – Tagle 20, Lina 18, Andrada 14, Royo 9, Puno 9, Songcuya 6, Tagala 5, Gonzales 3, Payosing 3, RC Calimag 2, Estacio 0, Bonzalida 0, Celzo 0, Richi Calimag 0

EAC 59 – Gurtiza 10, Pagsanjan 10, Doromal 6, Bacud 6, Quinal 5, Loristo 5, Oftana 5, Ednilag 4, Ochavo 2, Jacob 2, Postanes 2, Lucero 2, Luciano 0, Bagay 0, Umpad 0

Quarterscores: 24-17, 48-29, 66-35, 89-59