By MARK REY MONTEJO
San Beda held its ground and completed a vengeful 65-56 win over Jose Rizal University, 65-56, to inch closer to a quarterfinal bonus in the NCAA Season 101 men’s basketball tournament at the FilOil Arena in San Juan City Saturday, Nov. 15.
Out to bury the memory of a painful 67-66 loss in the first round, the Red Lions turned to Janti Miller in the crunch and the 6-foot-4 from Fairfield, California did not disappoint , draining two triples that all but fouled the Heavy Bombers’ late rally.
The win put the Mendiola-based squad atop of the Group B with 8-3 slate, while JRU fell to fourth at 6-6.
Aside from marking its back-to-back wins, San Beda also strengthened its bid for a twice-to-beat advantage in their Group B bracket known as “Group of Death.”
“I took a little step back in this game because I’ve been sick all week so this is like a first game back for me,” said Miller who finished with 16 points, eight rebounds, and three assists.
Bryan Sajonia tospcored for San Beda with 18, while Shawn Argente and Allen Laurenaria paced JRU with 12 points apiece.
Up next for San Beda is Emilio Aguinaldo College on Wednesday, Nov. 19, while JRU tries to close out its elimination run with a win against College of Saint Benilde Tuesday, Nov. 18.
The scores:
SAN BEDA 65 – Sajonia 18, Miller 16, Reyes 7, Andrada 7, Etulle 6, Lina 5, Calimag 3, Vailoces 2, Celzo 1, Gonzales 0, Culdora 0, Estacio 0, Songcuya 0, Bonzalida 0.
JRU 56 – Argente 12, Laurenaria 12, Herrera 10, Salvador 8, Sarmiento 4, Peñaverde 4, Garupil 3, Castillo 3, Panapanaan 0, Benitez 0, Duque 0, Catapang 0.
Quarters: 19-18, 33-29, 42-42, 65-56.
