This time, Calvin Oftana wasn’t alone in doing the heavy lifting for the defending champion San Beda Red Lions.
The 23-year-old Oftana, who is fast emerging as a top MVP candidate after the first round, got help from four other teammates as they led the Red Lions to a 98-66, walloping of the Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals yesterday at the FilOil-Flying V Arena in San Juan.
The Red Lions’ 32-point winning margin eclipsed 31-point, 88-57 demolition of the College of St. Blazers in the first round and is now considered the highest winning edge scored by a team this season.
The 6’5” Oftana scored 13 points and had eight rebounds for the Red Lions as they went on to post their 10th straight wins and stay unbeaten at the start of the second round.
Evan Nelle, who had 11 assists, also contributed 13 points with Donald Tankoua and Clint Doliguez, while AC Soberano added 12 for the Red Lions.
After struggling with a slow start, the Red Lions picked up steam in the second period, with Soberano canning in all of his 12 point tally and Nelle pouring in 11 points to help put his team ahead by 21 points at halftime, 54-23.
Doliguez came into the picture in the fourth period with nine points, and the Red Lions went on to move away by as much as 41 points before the game ended.
“The players did extra work on their skills. They come to practice with the mindset that they have to improve on their shooting and their skills, even though we’re the no. 1 team,” said Red Lions coach Boyet Fernandez.
Marvin Taywan knocked in 19 points for the Generals (1-8).
Earlier, the San Beda Red Cubs, behind Rhayyan Amsali with 23 points, blasted the EAC Brigadiers, 83-54, to remain in the solo lead in the junior division.
Yukien Andrada made 12 points for the Red Lions as they posted their ninth victory in 10 outings.
John Barba struck with 20 points for the Junior Pirates, who smashed the Arellano Braves, 76-61.
The Junior Pirates, with Gyle Montano shooting 19 points, never looked back from a 40-25 halftime and their second straight win allowed them to improve to 7-3 in second place, pushing ahead of idle College of St. Benilde-La Salle Green Hills.
In another senior game, the Lyceum Pirates weathered a close call with a the Arellano Chiefs, 93-90, to hike their record in second spot at 7-3.
Mike Nzeusseu fired 23 points and hauled down nine rebounds for the Pirates, while Jaycee Marcelino delivered 12 points.