SAN Beda reminded everyone it still is the defending NCAA men’s basketball champion, as it sent a statement against surging Emilio Aguinaldo College via an 89-59 rout Wednesday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
Point guard Emman Tagle, filling in for injured Bryan Sajonia, spearheaded the blowout win behind 5-of-10 shooting from long-range and finished with 20 points, while rookie big Bismarck Lina ushered his return from a one-game suspension with 18 points and four rebounds.
The Red Lions won their second straight game and improved to a 10-5 record to earn at least a playoff for a Final Four berth.
It also avenged the reigning titlists’ first round defeat at the hands of the Generals, 68-55.
Tagle admitted getting even against the Generals, one of three teams which beat them in the opening round, was added motivation.
Don't count out San Beda
At the same, San Beda also made notice to the rest of the field that it still has the pieces to retain the crown in the league’s centennial season.
“Last season, champion kami. Kaya gusto lang namin ipakita na kahit maraming nawala, kahit maraming bago, malakas pa rin kami. And kaya pa rin naming makapag-contend sa NCAA Season 100 championship,” were Tagle’s strong words following the 30-point blowout of EAC.
The game was over the moment the Red Lions held the Generals to just 12 second quarter points, allowing them to stretch a seven-point spread to 48-29 by halftime.
Their biggest lead stood at 89-56.
The loss had a big impact on the EAC’s Final Four bid as they fell to a 7-8 record for a tie with Letran and host Lyceum at No. 4.
King Gurtiza and Harvey Pagsanjan each had 10 apiece to pace the Generals.
The Scores:
SAN BEDA 89 - Tagle 20, Lina 18, Andrada 14, Royo 9, Puno 9, Songcuya 6, Tagala 5, Gonzales 3, Payosing 3, RC Calimag 2, Estacio 0, Bonzalida 0, Celzo 0, Richi Calimag 0.
EAC 59 - Gurtiza 10, Pagsanjan 10, Doromal 6, Bacud 6, Quinal 5, Loristo 5, Oftana 5, Ednilag 4, Ochavo 2, Jacob 2, Postanes 2, Lucero 2, Luciano 0, Bagay 0, Umpad 0.
Quarters: 24-17; 48-29; 66-35; 89-59.
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