PLAYING against its rival and reigning two-time champion Letran brings out the best in San Beda University.
The Red Lions turned that motivation to game and ripped the Knights 91-77 yesterday for their second straight win in the 98th NCAA basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan.
James Kwekuteye led four other teammates in double-digits with a game-high 19 points, to go with seven rebounds, and two assists for San Beda, while Damie Cuntapay chipped in 16 markers and five boards.
Earlier, Lyceum dismantled also-ran Jose Rizal University 79-62 for its fourth triumph in a row.
The victories came on a day the Jose Rizal University Bombers announced they have expelled controversial forward John Amores from the team.
Meanwhile, the league yesterday condemned the ugly brawl between JRU and College of St. Benilde last week.
“Due to the gravity of the offense, our collective response to the incident does not end there as we continue to review our internal rules, processes, possible changes and interventions to ensure that incidents such as this are deterred, discouraged, and prevented from happening again in the future,” the NCAA said in a statement signed by its spokesperson and legal counsel Atty. Joseph Noel Estrada.
“We have also initiated internal discussions on players’ support not only in terms of physical fitness and training but in their mental health and well-being as well.”
Basketball Commissioner Tonichi Pujante also said he will reprimand and sanction the referee who ejected San Sebastian College strategist Egay Macaraya in the Golden Stags’ game against the Blazers two days ago.
Macaraya was requesting for a review on the foul by CSB’s Carlo Lim after he accidentally hit San Sebastian’s Alex Desoyo in the head.
“I’d like to extend our apology to what transpired. It’s very unfortunate,” Pujante said, referring to referee Ricor Buaron. “For sure, he will be reprimanded and severely sanctioned.”
“Because of what transpired, the referee on his own initiative should have reviewed the play because there might be a possible act of violence.”
Yukien Andrada, JB Bahio, and Gab Cometa also finished with 15, 10, and 10 points, respectively, for the Lions, who sustained the effort and resolve they showed in a 71-63 victory over Mapua University five days ago and hiked their mark to 11-5.
Letran saw its nine-game winning run, counting an 84-77 win over Emilio Aguinaldo College last Saturday, come to a screeching halt for a 12-4 card.
“Well, more than the breaking the streak and beating Letran, it’s us getting a better of chance sa playoffs, iyong positioning namin. So, iyon naman iyong sabi ko sa kanila, one game at a time,” San Beda coach Yuri Escueta said. “But of course, playing against Letran talagang it brings out the best in players. Hat’s off to them also for being composed sa laro tsaka talagang sabi ko be smarter than ever before, ‘di ba sa ganyang mga laro.”
Enoch Valdez shone anew for the Pirates with 21 points, on top of seven rebounds, and three assists, while King Vinoya had 11 markers and two caroms.
John Barba also added 10 and two as Lyceum pulled off an encore to a 73-65 victory over San Sebastian College last Sunday and climbed to 12-5.
The Heavy Bombers, coming off a 60-72 setback to Perpetual four days ago, reeled off to 6-10.
“Honestly speaking, that’s the good thing on our team because we trust each other and they believe in our system and kung nasaan man kami ngayon it’s because of my players,” Pirates strategist Gilbert Malabanan said.
“Talagang they do their best because they really want to win, kumbaga gusto nilang manalo.”
Lyceum avenged a 57-63 defeat to JRU in their first-round duel last Oct. 7.
The Lions came out with guns blazing and took a 50-33 spread at the halfway mark they stretched to 71-52 heading into the payoff period.
King Caralipio paced the Knights with 14 points and seven rebounds, while Kurt Reyson and Fran Yu contributed 11 and 10 markers, respectively.
San Beda downed Letran 76-68 when they first met last Sept. 30.
The Pirates grabbed a 41-33 lead at the break and still enjoyed a 57-45 edge entering the final 10 minutes.
Jason Tan scored 12 points and had four rebounds for the Bombers, while Ry dela Rosa contributed 11 markers.
