San Beda University leaned on the duo of Yukien Andrada and Jacob Cortez to escape De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde, 65-61, and snap its losing streak in the NCAA Season 99 on Wednesday.
San Beda, who was coming off two consecutive losses to Perpetual and Mapua, improved to 9-6 while Benilde dropped to 10-6.
Joshua Cajucom made his presence felt in the crucial fourth quarter, dropping a much-needed seven points to allow Benilde break a 45-all deadlock at the end of the third and het a slim 52-50 lead in the fourth.
But Jacob Cortez, who was limited to just two points in the first half, continued to rally the Red Lions, completing a three-point play chance to regain the lead at 53-52 before both team traded baskets in the following moments.
Crucial was the three-pointer from veteran Peter Alfaro at the 2:52 mark as it sent San Beda to a pivotal 60-56 cushion before Will Gozum sank two free throws. But the reigning MVP missed a layup that would have forced another tie with 49.1 seconds left.
Back-to-back misses from beyond the arc by Cortez and Migs Oczon then led to a pair of free throws from Alfaro to give the Red Lions a 62-58 advantage.
Andrada steadily knocked down two freebies to seal the deal for the Red Lions.
—JMB, GMA Integrated News
