James Kwekuteye found his shooting touch late as San Beda University picked up a huge win against Mapua University, 71-63, in NCAA Season 98 on Saturday.
Kwekuteye, who scored a game-high 25 points, did most of his damage in the fourth period, where he scored 12 markers on 4-for-5 shooting. He also tallied six rebounds, two assists, three steals, and a block in a big game for the Red Lions.
San Beda, which won over the Cardinals in the first round via a forfeiture, improved to 10-5 while eliminating Mapua from playoff contention with a 6-10 slate.
The Cardinals opened the payoff period with a quick 6-0 run led by JJ Pido as they pulled to within one after trailing by seven at the end of the third, 52-51.
The teams then engaged in a series of exchanges but Kwekuteye gave San Beda a 62-57 lead before Jomer Mercado brought back Mapua to within one, 62-61.
Tony Ynot and Kwekuteye fired crucial triples that sent San Beda to a 70-63 spread with a minute left in the game.
It was a morale-boosting win for San Beda following a tough loss to Lyceum of the Philippines University in its previous game.
Youngsters Justine Sanchez and Ynot carried San Beda in the first half, where the Red Lions took a 39-34 lead while big man Warren Bonifacio took the scoring cudgels for Mapua with 13 points.
San Beda held on to that lead in the third as Kwekuteye and Alex Visser helped the Red Lions cruise to a 52-45 cushion.
Sanchez finished with 11 points, 10 of those in the first half, and nine rebounds, while Ynot had nine markers and eight boards.
Warren Bonifacio led Mapua 21 points and seven rebounds.
The scores:
San Beda 71 - Kwekuteye 25, Sanchez 11, Ynot 9, Andrada 7, Cortez 5, Cuntapay 5, Visser 4, Cometa 2, Bahio 2, Alfaro 1, Payosing 0, Penuela 0.
Mapua 63 - Bonifacio 21, Pido 13, Hernandez 12, Nocum 7, Salenga 4, Mercado 2, Cuenco 2, Soriano 2, Agustin 0, Garcia 0, Lacap 0.
Quarters: 19-16, 39-34, 52-45, 71-63.
—JMB, GMA Integrated News
