By Michael Angelo S. Murillo
Senior Reporter

THE defending champions San Beda Red Lions moved a step closer to a sweep of the eliminations of National Collegiate Athletic Association Season 95 after defeating the Letran Knights, 75-63, on Tuesday at the FilOil Flying V Centre in San Juan City.

Found their grip right at the start, the Lions hit a rough patch in the third quarter but were unstoppable once they regained their footing on their way to booking their 15th win in as many games while sending the Knights (9-6) to back-to-back defeats.

The Lions got early traction in the contest as they found their collective groove on both ends of the court.

They claimed the opening quarter, 24-16, before holding steady amid repeated comeback bids by the Knights in the second quarter to remain on top, 42-34, at the half.

In the third quarter, Letran opened with an 8-0 blast to tie the count at 42-all with 6:21 to go in the frame.

Clint Doliguez finally broke the silence for the Lions at the 5:44 mark with a triple to make it 45-42 in their favor before AC Soberano added a deuce from the charity lane to push their lead to five points, 47-42, midway.

It was a swing they would ride for the rest of the quarter to hold a 62-42 advantage entering the final period.

With momentum on its side, San Beda went for an early finish.

Letran tried to chip away on the Lions’ lead on the lead of Jerrick Balanza.

It got to within 14 points, 66-52, with 5:18 to play.

San Beda recalibrated after and answered with a 9-2 blast in the next two minutes to stretch its lead anew, 75-54.

The Lions were never really threatened much from there, eventually going for the closeout and victory.

Calvin Oftana led San Beda with 16 points followed by Doliguez with 13.

Evan Nelle had 12 points and seven assists while James Canlas also finished with 12 markers.

For Letran it was Larry Muyang who top-scored with 16 points with King Caralipio and Balanza chipping in 11 each.

“It’s really the players who worked hard for this win. After they tied us, the players just responded and we got the win. Letran is a tough team and this win is a testament to the players’ hard work,” said San Beda coach Boyet Fernandez after their win.

Mr. Fernandez went on to say that while they are in a good position to go for a sweep they are not yet too concerned about it and instead are focused on winning as many games as they can in their remaining matches.

Meanwhile in the first game, the Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals notched their second straight win by defeating the Perpetual Help Altas, 80-76.

Trailed for majority of the contest, the Generals (3-11) found the daggers in the end to pull the rug from under the Altas (3-10).

Jethro Mendoza led the way for EAC with 22 points followed by Kriss Gurtiza with 13 and JP Maguliano with 11.

Tonton Peralta, meanwhile, paced the Altas with 21 points with Edgar Charcos adding 14 points.

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