The Red Lions secured the first salvo, 20-17, thanks to James Canlas getting the first blood and Ralph Penuela and former red cub Rhyyan Amsali scoring multiple baskets for the red and white squad.

Yet the Generals showed no sign of discouragement as Nicole Gil Quinal marked a three from the baseline at the start of the second quarter to tie the game, 20-20, which led both teams to go score-for-score.

Jv Gallego was able to spark a rally for the red shirts after weaving his way through a three-man defense. The 5-foot-10 guard contributed a total of 15 points for SBU, ending the first half at a 41 deadlock.

Both teams traded shots at the opening of the third quarter but the Red Lions were able to pull away and secured a 12 points advantage, 70-58.

“It’s just a matter of us executing our gameplan na noong third quarter lang nag-click. I’m happy na nag-step up naman yung ibang players,” said coach Boyet Fernandez.

However, the Generals were able to get comfortable with the clicked zone of San Beda and easily close the gap to six points in the fourth quarter as Lance Luciano boarded two consecutive shots followed by Marwin Taywan, 72-66.

San Beda was put into a nail-biting game situation as the Generals chased them down to 85-81 after Ralph Robin marked a three with only five seconds left to give a career-high 19 points but that was not enough to give the victory to EAC as the match ended in favor of the Red Lions.

“I would like to congratulate EAC. They played well against us. They prepared well. I would like to congratulate coach (Oliver) Bunyi for this game. They gave us a lesson,” Coach Boyet said.

The Scores: 

SBU 85 – Canlas 16, Gallego 15, Amsali 13, Penuela 13, Alfaro 9, Bahio 5, Andrada 4, Abuda 3, Sanchez 3, Ynot 3, Cuntapay 1, Cometa 0, Visser 0, Jopia 0, Villejo 0.

EAC 81 – Robin 19, Maguliano 14, Taywan 13, Luciano 9, Liwag 7, Quinal 6, Fuentes 6, Ad. Doria 3, Bunyi 2, Gurtiza 2, Cosa 0, Umpad 0, An. Doria 0.

Quarters: 20-17, 41-41, 70-58, 85-81.