Filoil Preseason Cup: Triples help San Beda pull away from JRU
FILE – San Beda Red Lions in the Filoil Preseason Cup. –FILOIL PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines—San Beda University relied on the unfamiliar in the endgame to bury Jose Rizal University, 88-69, in Group B of the Filoil EcoOil Preseason Cup at on Wednesday.
The Red Lions sank four triples in the last five minutes of the game to keep the pesky Heavy Bombers off bay. Three-point shooting, however, is not a central point in San Beda’s system, head coach Yuri Escueta said.
“We don’t really focus on triples. I said this before, but if that’s what’s given, they have to be ready to shoot. Our system is gonna help us get advantages in terms of numbers. If the ball is given to you in the three-point line and you don’t shoot it, it’s no use,” Escueta explained.
The Red Lions went on a staggering 18-0 run, including four from beyond the arc, in the final minutes of the game to push the lead to 87-64 and improve to 2-4 in the Group B standings. San Beda shot 12 three balls overall on 48 percent shooting (12-for-25).
The fourth quarter started with San Beda holding a 10-point lead, 66-56. The Heavy Bombers went on an early 8-3 rally to creep behind, 69-64, but went scoreless for the next six minutes.
JRU, who remained winless in five games, suffered from a lackluster first frame, 19-9. They responded with a 24-point second period but were still behind at the half, 45-33.
Five players scored in double digits for San Beda with Peter Alfaro, James Kwekuteye, Justine Sanchez, John Bryle Bahio and Damie Cuntapay tallying 15, 13, 13, 11 and 10, respectively.
Ryan Dela Rosa played hero for JRU with 19 markers and three rebounds.
