Unbeaten Lions reassert dominance over Generals

Games Thursday
(Flying V Centre, San Juan)
2 p.m. – St. Benilde vs San Sebastian
4 p.m. – Perpetual vs LPU

MANILA, Philippines – San Beda continued its mastery of Emilio Aguinaldo College as it hammered out a 98-66 victory Tuesday to remain unscathed in the 95th NCAA basketball tournament at the Flying V Centre in San Juan City.

After a shaky start, the Lions woke up in the second quarter and unleashed a series of runs that they used to run away with their 10th victory while stretching their win streak to 24, including 12 from last season when they roared to a three-peat feat.

The reigning champion also extended its perfect record against EAC, which has now lost all its 22 games to the former since the latter entered the league 11 years ago.

San Beda coach Boyet Fernandez, however, isn’t particularly concerned with the streak.

“We’re more focused on just finishing in the top two,” said Fernandez.

Even Nelle kept on blossoming and finished with 13 points, 11 assists, four steals and two rebounds that further boosted his MVP stock.

To date, Nelle is running second in the race for the highest individual honor behind teammate Calvin Oftana.

Interestingly, two more San Beda standouts, Donald Tankoua and James Canlas, were in the top five at fourth and fifth places, respectively, that is indicative of how the Lions have dominated the competition this early in the season.

Only San Sebastian’s Allyn Bulanadi is the only player in the MVP hunt not from San Beda.

The Generals sank to 1-9.

The scores:

San Beda 98 – Nelle 13, Tankoua 13, Doliguez 13, Soberano 12, Oftana 12, Canlas 9, Alfaro 8, Bahio 7, Etrata 3, Carino 3, Cuntapay 2, Noah 1, Obenza 1, Visser 1, Abuda 0

EAC 66 – Taywan 19, Maguliano 17, Luciano 7, De Guzman 5, Cadua 3, Mandoza 3, Carlos 3, Martin 3, Estacio 2, Gurtiza 2, Dayrit 2, Corilla 0, Boffa 0, Gonzales 0

Quarterscores: 16-14; 54-23; 75-42; 98-66