The San Beda Red Lions found their groove early and held their ground late, turning back defending champion Mapua Cardinals, 79–70, on Friday at the FilOil EcoOil Arena in San Juan.
Rookie sensation Agjanti Miller, the early favorite for Rookie of the Year, once again spearheaded the Red Lions with a game-high 20 points, powering them to their fourth win in five outings in Group B of the 101st NCAA men’s basketball tournament.
Miller took charge in the second quarter after Jommel Puno set the tone in the opening frame, helping San Beda seize control of the match.
Despite being slightly outrebounded, the Red Lions maintained composure as Mapua, led by Marc Cuenco’s 13 points, attempted multiple rallies.
San Beda coach Yuri Escueta, however, wasn’t fully satisfied with his team’s consistency.
“I’m not really satisfied. It’s how we played in the first half. In the third quarter, they (Mapua) decided to put their heads down and attack. We needed to contain that,” Escueta said.
Puno contributed nine points, including five in the opening period as he teamed up with Jimuel Reyes and Miller to spark a 13-point burst, giving San Beda a 26–16 lead after the first quarter.
Miller then took over, firing 12 points in the second quarter to widen the gap to 49–34 by halftime.
The Cardinals came alive in the third, but RC Calimag and Puno answered back with crucial baskets to keep the Red Lions ahead, 64–58, entering the final frame.
In the closing minutes, Nygel Gonzales and Penny Estacio nailed key shots that kept Mapua at bay after the Cardinals cut the deficit to just five points.
