What was expected to be a tight game turned out to be a lopsided one as defending champion San Beda University outplayed Lyceum of the Philippines University in a 94-74 blowout victory in the NCAA Season 98 juniors basketball tournament on Wednesday at the EAC Gym.
The San Beda Cubs, who ruled Season 95 with a win over Lyceum as well, improved to 1-0 to join Mapua University, Colegio de San Juan de Letran, University of Perpetual Help System DALTA, and Jose Rizal University as the early leaders of the tournament.
Lyceum, meanwhile, dropped to 0-1.
It was the Red Cubs in control all game long, building a 54-24 halftime lead before that ballooned to as much as 37 in the third period, 79-42, after a three-pointer from Gab Ludovice. But the Junior Pirates put up a fight, closing the frame on a 9-3 run led by Ryan Lobos.
San Beda, though, would not let its guard down with Christopher Hubilla and Andrei Dungo burying back-to-back baskets to put the Red Cubs up again by 31, 89-58, halfway through the quarter.
Hubilla exploded for 29 points alongside 15 rebounds, four assists, and four steals as San Beda kicked off its title defense bid in a convincing fashion. John Lopez and Dungo churned out 12 and 10 markers, respectively, while Marc Reyes chipped in nine markers and five boards.
Matthew Rubico produced 21 points, eight rebounds, and three assists for Lyceum while Lobos finished with 15 markers in the losing effort.
The scores:
San Beda 94 - Hubilla 29, Lopez 12, Dungo 10, Reyes 9, Lecciones 8, Jomalesa 7, Sollano 6, Canete 6, Ludovice 3, Lorenzo 2, Ronquillo 1, Agbayani 1, Wagan 0, Manarang 0, Lacsamana 0.
LPU 74 - Rubico 21, Lobos 15, Fuentes 12, Torres 8, Matienzo 8, Villa 3, Zi. Espinas 2, Mulligan 2, Poli 2, Magarse 1, Parinas 0, Mondia 0, Zy. Espinas 0, Llanes 0, Nodalo 0.
Quarters: 28-11, 54-24, 82-51, 94-74.
—JMB, GMA Integrated News
