San Beda University let a big 23-point lead slip away but endgame composure helped the Red Lions eke out a 78-71 victory over San Sebastian College-Recoletos in NCAA Season 98 action on Wednesday.
San Beda, which bounced back from a loss, improved to 2-2, while San Sebastian dropped to an identical 2-2 card.
James Kwekuteye starred for San Beda with 20 points, three rebounds, and three steals.
Peter Alfaro added 11 markers while Tony Ynot and JB Bahio each chipped in with 10. Bahio also grabbed a game-high 10 re
San Beda waxed hot from the get-go as they got off to a huge 25-2 start, but the Stags got their act together in the second, where they outscored the Red Lions, 25 to 16, to cut the deficit to just 10 at the half, 46-36.
An Ichie Altamirano triple even sliced San Sebastian's disadvantage to nine, 33-42, but San Beda was able to hang on to its double-digit lead before heading to the second half.
Kwekuteye was already in double figures at the break as he led San Beda with 13 points.
But what was once a one-sided affair turned into a tight ballgame as San Sebastian unleashed 21 points in the third, which ended with the Stags staring at just a two-point deficit at 59-57.
Kenneth Villapando then made it as close as 67-65 spread but a 5-2 run, all courtesy of free throws, sent San Beda to a 72-67 cushion before JB Bahio eluded the defense of Jessie Sumoda for a 74-67 lead with 1:36 left.
With both teams at penalty, San Beda and San Sebastian had an exchange of charities but it was the Red Lions who proved steadier in the endgame.
Sumoda led San Sebastian with 19 points, including 13 in the Stags' big second quarter turnaround. Villapando and Rhinwill Yambing added 13 points apiece.
Romel Calahat, meanwhile, was limited to just three points on 1-of-6 shooting in the loss.
San Beda will next take on University of Perpetual Help System DALTA on Sunday while San Sebastian will face Lyceum of the Philippines University on Saturday.
The scores:
San Beda 78 - Kwekuteye 20, Alfaro 11, Ynot 10, Bahio 10, Cortez 6, Tagala 6, Cometa 4, Jopia 4, Andrada 4, Cuntapay 3, Visser 0.
San Sebastian 71 - Sumoda 19, Villapando 13, Yambing 13, Desoyo 4, Felebrico 4, Altamirano 3, Calahat 3, Are 3, Shanoda 3, Una 1, Suico 1, Cosari 0, Concha 0.
Quarters: 30-11, 46-36, 59-57, 78-71.
—JMB, GMA News
