Getting solid production from its reserves, San Beda University cruised to its third consecutive victory in the 101st National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) men’s basketball tournament after routing Arellano University, 72-56, on Friday at the Filoil EcoOil Arena in San Juan.
Adjanti Miller led the Red Lions’ charge with a game-high 20 points and seven rebounds, while fellow second-unit players Jomel Puno, Ismael Culdora, and Zed Etulle delivered key contributions that helped San Beda break the game open in the third quarter.
The Red Lions held the Chiefs to just 10 points in that period, with Miller scoring 15 of his own as San Beda stretched the lead to 14, 50-36, following Etulle’s jumper late in the frame.
“I commend the second group for stepping up. They challenged the first group and really gave us that needed energy,” said Red Lions coach Yuri Escueta, whose team improved to 5-1 in Group B.
In the second game, Jose Rizal University (JRU) escaped with a 66-63 win over defending champion Mapua University behind Shawn Argente’s go-ahead basket with 2:38 remaining.
The Cardinals had several chances to turn the game around in the closing minutes but failed to convert, allowing the Heavy Bombers to even their record at 4-4.
The victory, however, came at a cost as JRU guard Justine Lozano suffered a bad fall in the final two minutes and had to be helped off the court. Before his injury, Lozano had 13 points—matching the output of teammate Allen Laurenaria.
In the juniors division, Sean Franco tallied 17 points and calmly sank two free throws in the final six seconds to lift the Arellano Braves past the San Beda Red Cubs, 79-74, for their fourth win in seven outings.
Meanwhile, Froilan Rey exploded for 22 points as the Mapua Red Robins edged JRU, 74-71, with Rey Relojo icing the game through two free throws with three seconds left.
