By Jean Malanum
MANILA – Defending champion San Beda College demolished Emilio Aguinaldo College, 89-59, Wednesday in the NCAA Season 100 men’s basketball tournament at the Filoil EcoOil Arena in San Juan City.
Emman Tagle scored 20 points, including five triples, while Bismark Lina chipped in 18 points and four rebounds as the Red Lions secured their 10th win in 15 outings.
San Beda has three games left in the second round – against Letran, College of Saint Benilde and the San Sebastian College-Recoletos. Just one win will send the Red Lions to the Final Four in the company of CSB and Mapua University.
“This win is very important to our confidence,” said San Beda coach Yuri Escueta.
Yukien Andrada scored three triples to finish with 14 points, to go with five rebounds and five assists as San Beda avenged its 55-68 loss in the first round last Sept. 17.
AJ Rojo contributed nine points and five assists while Jomel Puno also had nine points to go with eight rebounds and three assists for the Red Lions, who posted their biggest lead at 89-56.
EAC slid to fourth place in a tie with Letran and Lyceum of the Philippines University at 7-8. King Gurtiza and Harvey Pagsanjan paced the Generals with 10 points each.
Gurtiza also made four rebounds, two assists and two steals while Pagsanjan had two assists, one steal and one block.
Alex Doromal and Jethro Bacud added six points apiece for EAC, which remains in contention for the last semis berth. (PNA)