NCAA: Red Lions dominate Blazers to clinch top seed, twice-to-beat edge

MANILA — San Beda University dominated College of Saint Benilde, 82-69, to secure a twice-to-beat edge in the quarterfinals of NCAA Season 102 men’s basketball on Tuesday at the FilOil Centre in San Juan.

Rookie Andrei Ugaddan led the Red Lions with 18 points on 4-of-6 shooting from beyond the arc to clinch the top seed in Group A and mark their 10th win in 13 games.

“Talagang tinrabaho namin talaga ’to sa ensayo,” said Ugaddan, who already had 15 points at halftime as they built an 18-point lead, 48-30.

“The top-two spot is what we’re really targeting because of the twice-to-beat spot, that it’s very important,” added San Beda head coach Yuri Escueta, as the Red Lions also avenged their 77-68 loss to Saint Benilde on opening day.

The defending champions will now await the winner of the play-in clash between University of Perpetual Help and San Sebastian College on Thursday, where the Altas hold a twice-to-beat edge.

Also stepping up was Jimmy Reyes, who had 13 points, while Aldous Torculas and JC Bonzalida scored 11 and 10 points, respectively, as San Beda led by as many as 20 points.

Justine Sanchez starred for Saint Benilde with 15 points. His three-pointer midway through the third period cut the deficit to 10, 53-43, but it wasn’t enough as the Blazers fell to the third seed in their group.

Jhomel Ancheta added 11 points, while Ian Torres scored 10 for Saint Benilde, which also suffered its fifth defeat in 13 outings.

With the group phase now complete, all postseason pairings are set.

Aside from San Beda awaiting the winner between Perpetual and San Sebastian, the Red Lions’ rivals, Colegio de San Juan de Letran, are also waiting for the victor of the other play-in matchup between Mapua University and Lyceum of the Philippines University.

Emilio Aguinaldo College will face Saint Benilde with a twice-to-beat advantage, while Jose Rizal University will enjoy the same bonus against Arellano University in the quarterfinals.

San Beda 82 – Ugaddan 18, Reyes 12, Torculas 11, Bonzalida 10, Etulle 8, Jamora 7, Marcelo 6, Jalbuena 4, Lina 3, Puno 2, Calimag 1, Hawkins 0, Dabao 0, Estacio 0.

Saint Benilde 69 – Sanchez 15, Ancheta 11, Torres 10, Liwag 7, Morales 6, Celis 5, Galas 5, Jucom 4, Moore 2, Lorenzo 2, Cajucom 2, Jarque 0, Podador 0, Arciaga 0.

Quarterscores: 20-16, 48-30, 62-49, 82-69.