BY ABBY TORALBA
WITH big man Yukien Andrada leading the way, San Beda stunned Lyceum 74-56 yesterday for its 11th win and boosted its Final Four hopes in the 99th NCAA basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan.
Andrada shone anew, resetting his career-high with 26 points, five rebounds, two assists and a steal.
Jacob Cortez fired 16 markers while Jomel Puno had eight points for the Mendiola-based crew, which rose to 11-6, tied with College of St. Benilde for third.
Veterans Enoch Valdez and Shawn Umali paced the Pirates, still in second spot with a 13-5 mark and armed with a twice-to-beat advantage heading into the Final Four, with 17 and 14 points, respectively.
San Beda’s win closed the door on Perpetual Help despite the Altas scoring a 75-60 victory over also-ran San Sebastian earlier.
Perpetual graduating skipper Jielo Razon sizzled with a career-high 26 points along with seven rebounds and three assists, while Christian Pagaran chipped in 15 markers, five boards and a steal.
The Altas wound up with a 10-8 card.
“Malungkot kasi last game ko na ito, masaya dahil nakapag-serve ako sa Perpetual gamit ang talent to,” Razon, who also suited up for Perpetual in high school, said.
Romel Calahat and Alex Desoyo delivered 19 and 12 points, respectively, for the Golden Stags.
