Nelle leads NCAA in assists, Canlas sixth best scorer

  • Aug 20, 2019
  • BASKETBALL
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Numbers paint a picture on the San Beda Red Lions’ undefeated run so far in the NCAA men’s basketball tournament.

Halfway into Season 95, point guard Evan Nelle is leading the league in dimes. The rookie has 37 assists through six games for an average of 6.2 per contest. Next to him is Arellano University’s Kent Salado with 5.7 per game.

Meanwhile, shooting guard James Canlas Kwekuteye is currently sixth in scoring with 13.8 points per match. Included in the top five are Lyceum’s Jaycee Marcelino (18.0), Letran’s Jerrick Balanza (16.9), San Sebastian’s RK Ilagan (14.4), JRU’s Agem Miranda (14.2), and EAC’s Marwin Taywan (14.0). Kwekuteye is also tied for second in three-point baskets made per game at 2.2 and fourth in total field goals made at 5.5 per outing.

Center Donald Tankoua is also part of the Top 10 in several categories. The Cameroon native is second to Marcelino in two-point conversions per game at 5.3 and seventh in rebounds at 7.7. Meanwhile, Calvin Oftana is third in blocks with 1.5 per game and Clint Doliguez is second in steals at 1.8 per game.

Team stats

Coach Boyet Fernandez’ crew have delivered blowout performances thanks to their top-notch shooting. Norming 77.8 points per contest, the Red Lions are leading the league in three-point shooting percentage at 30.6%. The Mendiola-based squad is also second in two-point conversions (50.4%) and third in total field goal percentage (41.7%).

However, free throw shooting proves to be their weak spot as they come in at eighth with a 61.5% clip. On the flip side, they are the best team in terms of taking care of the ball by committing only 14.7 turnovers a game.

San Beda is just as efficient on defense by allowing teams a league-best 58.5 points per fixture. They also limit their opponents to 36.5% shooting.

The Red Lions are hoping to improve on these numbers and clinch their seventh straight victory when they face the LPU Pirates on August 20, 4 pm, at the Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan.

(Photo credit: Dante Peralta, SPIN.ph)