Lions roar to 2nd straight win

MANILA, Philippines — San Beda shut down Jose Rizal U in the stretch to eke out a come-from-behind 65-62 victory yesterday and climb up the Group A standings in NCAA Season 102 at the Filoil Center.

Trailing by five, 57-62, with 3.11 minutes remaining following a three-point play by JRU’s Chris Hubilla, the Lions threw the defensive blanket on the Bombers while dropping an 8-0 bomb late to snatch the win – their second straight in three starts.

That sent the reigning titlist into a tie with its victim at No. 2, behind only St. Benilde, which took pole position without even moving at 3-1.

Sean Torculas erupted for a career-high 29 points that he laced with five deafening three-pointers. Eight of his points came in the fourth quarter.

Andrei Ugaddan also came out of nowhere and scattered 11 markers, including six massive ones in that telling run late.

“We didn’t stop until the game was finished, that was our mindset,” said an ecstatic Torculas.

This was the same game that was called off last week due to the slippery floor at this same venue caused by the sudden downpour.

And just like the first one before the game was stopped, the Bombers were in control early before losing steam in the middle quarters.

But going into the homestretch, JRU, which came into the season as the team to beat after dominating most of the pre-season tournaments, regained its ground and took that 62-57 cushion, threatening to go three in a row.

San Beda had other plans, though.