Raven Cortez and Yukien Andrada joined forces with a younger batch of players as the San Beda Red Lions pulled off an 86-72 swamping of the Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals on Sunday in the 99th National Collegiate Athletic Association men’s basketball tournament.
Cortez, who led with 17 points, first took charge with nine points as the Red Lions grabbed a 20-point edge in the third period, 72-52, before coasting to their fourth consecutive triumph at the FilOil-EcoOil Arena in San Juan.
After that, balanced scoring and contributions from Aaron Royo, Alex Visser, Cyrus Llanera and Andrada helped Cortez and the Red Lions in claiming solo second spot with their 7-2 win-loss slate at the end of the second round.
Andrada, who struck with 14 points, capped the Red Lions’ decisive moves in third with three successive baskets during a 9-0 windup, which gave San Beda its big lead entering the fourth quarter.
The Red Lions got 6’7” Clifford Jopia to help control the boards as he finished with a double-double of 11 points and 12 rebounds.
Jopia’s presence came as promising big man Jomel Puno also made 11 points, but only had four rebounds this time.
The win gave the San Beda confidence to go for their fifth consecutive victory when the Red Lions open their second=round campaign on Friday with a game against the skidding Arellano University Chiefs.
“It’s a good win. But we still have one more round,” said Red Lions’ coach Yuri Escueta.
Ralph Robin fired 22 points for the Generals, who will meet the San Sebastian Stags on Tuesday at the start of their second-round stint.
The Generals are in fourth at 5-4.