With their unbeaten record, San Beda stayed atop the team standings in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Season 97 men’s basketball tournament.

James Canlas Kwekuteye was the main man for the Mendiola-based squad leading the team with 14 points, four rebounds, and one steal, while Gab Cometa added 11 markers off the bench.

The Red Lions pulled away with a 30-point explosion in the second quarter, led by Cometa, who scored all his points in the first half.

San Beda tallied a 22-point lead in the third quarter, their highest in the game, after a free throw from Kwekuteye with 3:47 left in the period.

Arellano was able to cut the deficit by 11 points halfway in the final period, 70-59, but a late rally from San Beda sparked by Kwekuteye capped the match in their favor.

Kalen Doromal led the Chiefs’ scorers finishing with 16 points along with three rebounds and three assists, while Raymart Sablan contributed 10 markers and six boards. 

Arellano fell to a 2-4 card and dropped to the sixth spot in the standings sharing it with the University of Perpetual Help System Dalta and San Sebastian College – Recoletos.

The Scores:

San Beda 82 – Kwekuteye 14, Cometa 11, Penuela 9, Ynot 9, Bahio 8, Amsali 8, Sanchez 8, Cuntapay 6, Alfaro 4, Gallego 3, Visser 2, Villejo 0, Abuda 0, Andrada 0, Jopia 0.

Arellano 68 – Doromal 16, Sablan 10, Valencia 9, Cruz 8, Arana 7, Concepcion 7, Steinl 4, Sta. Ana 3, Abastillas 2, Caballero 2, Oliva 0.

Quarters: 17-15; 47-32; 66-52; 82-68.