SAN Beda cruised past Jose Rizal University even without its two key players, 83-70, to keep pace of a spot in the NCAA Season 100 Final Four on Tuesday at the FilOil EcoOil Centre.
The Red Lions drew strength from last year’s Finals MVP James Payosing and rising star Jomel Puno to improve at 9-5 and boost their bid to follow College of St. Benilde and Mapua in the semifinals.
Payosing had 18 points and Puno wound up with a double-double of 17 and 12 boards as the duo made up for the absence of guard Brian Sajonia and rookie big man Bismarck Lina.
Sajonia injured his ankle in practice last this week, while Lina served a one-game suspension after getting ejected for unsportsmanlike foul following his hit against Mapua’s Cyrus Cuenco.
“Ako hindi ko na minention na hindi sila maglalaro. I just told the guys who are suited up na I have full confidence in them, and just be ready whenever their numbers are called to play,” said San Beda coach Yuri Escueta about his pre-game talk to the defending champions.
A huge second quarter tear was all San Beda needed to pull away from Jose Rizal, which took control of the opening period.
The Red Lions outscored the Heavy Bombers, 29-13, just before halftime to reverse their fortunes at the break, 46-31.
They stretched the lead to its biggest at 74-55 midway in the fourth quarter.
Shawn Argente tallied 16 points to pace the Heavy Bombers, now at 4-10 in a tie with San Sebastian College at the bottom of the standings.
They are just coming off a 90-86 upset of the Letran Knights over the weekend.
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.
Jose Rizal 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.
Quarters: 17-18; 46-31; 69-53; 83-70.
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