SAN Beda University continued to look invincible following a 93-75 rout of College of Saint Benilde for the Red Lions’ 17th straight victory in the National Collegiate Athletic Association Season 95 seniors basketball tournament on Thursday, at the Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan.
But the Red Lions had to contend with a stubborn Blazers side in the first two quarters.
Saint Benilde held fort and with 13 unanswered points, nailed a 42-41 lead at the turn.
There was no denying the Red Lions though as they pulled away in the third quarter with a 14-0 run of their own for a 58-72 cushion.
Most Valuable Player award contender Calvin Oftana stepped up for the Red Lions with a game-high 29 points on 65 percent shooting. He also had nine rebounds, five off the offensive board, along with five assists and two steals.
James Kwekuteye finished with 21 points, nine rebounds and seven assists for the Red Lions. Evan Nelle only had nine points, but dished out nine assists.
“I told the boys at the half—be ashamed of yourselves,” San Beda Coach Boyet Fernandez said. “We have to go back to basics. Our defense was really lousy today, especially our perimeter defense.”
“If we won’t play the way we played today on Thursday, it would be tough beating LPU [Lyceum of the Philippines University],” added Fernandez, whose wards face the Pirates in their next assignment hoping to complete an eliminations sweep for an outright Finals berth. The Blazers dropped to a 7-9 card, and are out of the playoff picture.
Justin Gutang was the only double-digit scorer for the Blazers with 23 points he iced with five rebounds.