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

San Beda’s James Payosing during a game against JRU in NCAA Season 100.–NCAA PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines–James Payosing felt a deep sense of urgency for the San Beda Red Lions to keep their NCAA title-retention bid going.

Last season’s Finals MVP mocked all defenders thrown at him on Tuesday, scoring 18 points in San Beda’s runaway 83-70 victory over Jose Rizal University in the NCAA Season 100 men’s basketball tournament.

With center Bismarck Lina and wingmen Nygel Gonzales and Bryan Sajonia sidelined by injuries, the defending champion Red Lions saw the importance of notching their ninth win in 14 games.

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“We are getting deeper into the season, so we have to stick together. What the coaches will tell us, we definitely have to respond,” said Payosing in Filipino.

The College of St. Benilde Blazers (11-2) and the Mapua Cardinals (11-3) have already entered the Final Four scene with the Lions trying to get their foot inside.

Jomel Puno, who likewise sparkled during San Beda’s title win in Season 99, also showed up and delivered with 17 points and 12 rebounds.

“We’re undermanned, but I have full confidence in them. I just told the guys that they should be ready when their number is called and stick to the game plan,” said San Beda coach Yuri Escueta.

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For the Heavy Bombers, their 10th defeat has only made their semifinal hopes less attainable with four games left in the second round.

Shawn Argente led the Bombers with 16 points and Joshua Guiab added 13 as they chased the Lions throughout.

“We know how good they (Bombers) are with their perimeter shots, so we prepared how to close them out,” said Escueta, whose Lions go on a week-long break due to the coming holidays.

The scores:

SAN BEDA 83 – Payosing 18, Puno 17, Tagle 9, Calimag 8, Royo 7, Estacio 5, Bonzalida 5, Andrada 5, Celzo 5, Songcuya 2, Culdora 2, Jalbuena 0

JRU 70 – Argente 16, Guiab 13, Raymundo 9, Bernardo 8, Panapanaan 6, De Leon 4, Sarmiento 4, Barrera 4, Ramos 2, Medina 2, De Jesus 2, Mosqueda 0, Pangilinan 0, Lozano 0

Quarter scores: 17-18, 46-31, 69-53, 83-70