San Beda Bounces Back with Dominant 85-55 Victory Over San Sebastian

Defending champion San Beda University bounced back in authoritative fashion, putting on a defensive masterclass in the second half to dismantle the winless San Sebastian College-Recoletos Stags, 85-55, in the NCAA Season 102 Seniors Basketball Tournament at the Playtime Filoil EcoOil Centre on Friday.

Aldous Torculas spearheaded the Red Lions' bounce-back victory, firing a game-high 18 points anchored on three triples alongside six rebounds. Torculas served as the sole double-digit scorer for San Beda in a balanced offensive attack where all 14 players who stepped onto the floor registered at least one point.

Coming off a tough 55-54 defeat to the Mapúa Cardinals, the Red Lions encountered heavy resistance from San Sebastian in the opening quarters.

 Playing without forward Andrei Ugaddan—who served a one-game suspension following his ejection against Mapúa—San Beda engaged in a tight, back-and-forth contest as the Stags stayed within striking distance, trailing by just five points at halftime, 41-36.

"Siguro it’s always a next man mentality," said San Beda assistant coach Andre Santos regarding their deep rotation.

 "Knowing that we do have a deep roster and knowing that it’s a long season, it’s really important that guys are locked in for whatever minutes they’re given."

San Beda asserted its dominance coming out of the break. Torculas joined hands with John Bonzalida, Daniel Marcelo, and Jommel Puno in a decisive 19-4 run spanning the third and fourth quarters that blew the game wide open.

The Red Lions completely suffocated the Stags in the final frame, holding San Sebastian to a paltry five points in the fourth period while finishing on a 23-7 run to seal the 30-point rout.

San Beda's size and interior physicality proved overwhelming, outrebounding the Stags 47-34. The Red Lions' aggressive rim attacks yielded a season-high 51 free throw attempts, though they converted just 33 of them.

"Yung talk ni Coach Yuri [Escueta] before the game was about being present, being grateful for what we have right now," Santos added. "Yung talk na 'yun is more on also to relieve some pressure siguro off our shoulders."

Kent Bacani led the now 0-5 Stags with 15 points, while Nurben Muktimar contributed 11 points in the loss.

The dominant win re-established San Beda's winning momentum as the Red Lions improved to a 3-2 record in Bracket A. San Sebastian, meanwhile, sank deeper into its early-season rut, dropping to 0-5 in Bracket B as its search for a breakthrough victory continues.

The Scores:

SAN BEDA 85 – Torculas 18, Reyes 9, Puno 8, Bonzalida 8, Marcelo 8, Lina 7, Jalbuena 5, Etulle 5, Dabao 5, RC Calimag 3, Estacio 3, Sarigumba 3, Hawkins 2, Ri. Calimag 1.

SAN SEBASTIAN 55 – Bacani 15, Muktimar 11, Ricio 9, Velasco 4, Gabat 3, Alforque 3, Cuya 3, Segovia 2, Kitane 2, Suico 2, Barroga 1, Castor 0, Salvo 0, Chuidian 0.

Quarterscores: 23-21, 41-36 (18-15), 62-48 (21-12), 85-55 (23-7).

Photo Credits: NCAA Philippines Media