San Beda Red Cubs keep Final Four dream alive, escape EAC

Published February 28, 2024 3:22pm

Updated February 28, 2024 3:22pm

San Beda University remained in hunt for a Final Four spot after pulling away late against Emilio Aguinaldo College, 51-44, in the NCAA Season 99 juniors basketball tournament on Wednesday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre.

The Red Cubs bounced back from a costly loss to erstwhile winless Lyceum of the Philippines University last Sunday to improve to 4-3 while the Brigadiers fell to 2-5. 

San Beda turned a 28-31 halftime deficit to a 41-36 lead at the end of the third quarter after taking advantage of a cold offense from EAC, which shot just five points in that frame. 

The Brigadiers continued to shoot poorly in the pivotal fourth frame but a pair of free throws from Rafeeq Jawali tied things up at 41-all. Randaile Medroso then completed a three-point play before Hendric Vailoces capped off a 7-0 run to bring his side to a 48-41 cushion. 

With EJ Castillo misfiring for EAC, Jawali took over for the Brigadiers but his effort was not enough as Vailoces issued a dagger three-pointer to put the icing on the cake with still 2:24 left in the clock, 51-44. 

Vailoces finished with a double-double of 11 points and 10 rebounds alongside three assists and two steals while Francis Dollente provided the support with eight markers, four boards, and one swat as San Beda emerged victorious in the low-scoring affair. 

Castillo was limited to just 15 points on tough 6-of-19 shooting from the field but he chipped in nine rebounds, one assist, one steal, and a block while Kelly Coronel chimed in with 11 markers, five boards, and four blocks. 

—Bea Micaller/JKC, GMA Integrated News