MANILA — San Beda College proved too hot to handle for listless Arellano University, and the Red Lions romped away with a lopsided, 96-61, win Friday as they stayed within the top four range in the 98th NCAA men’s basketball tournament at the Filoil EcoOil Centre.

For coach Yuri Escueta, the victory more than atoned for their close 80-83 loss to Jose Rizal College in their previous outing last Tuesday, 04 October 2022.

“Yung loss namin sa JRU was really a humbling experience for all of us,” said coach Yuri Escueta, referring to the Red Lions’ 80-83 defeat last Tuesday.

“Coming into that JRU game, medyo yung mga players, I can say naging overconfident tapos we didn’t respect our opponent.”

San Beda started out like a house on fire.

The Red Lions put the pedal to the metal early on, chalking up a 20-point edge (29-9) after the first canto before soaring to its biggest lead of the game, 84-33, at the end of the third period.

JB Bahio came through with 13 points, eight rebounds, and three assists while Kwekuteye also scored 13 points to go with eight boards, two steals, and two assists before sitting out in the entire fourth quarter for the Red Lions.

San Beda improved to 5-2 behind the College of Saint Benilde and Lyceum of the Philippines University.

Tony Ynot chipped in 11 points and five boards, while Justine Sanchez and Jacob Cortez had 10 points apiece.

With Bahio and Kwekueteye getting a much-needed rest in the payoff period, this will be very helpful as the Red Lions play the Blazers on Sunday.

Darell Menina had 10 points, four rebounds, and three assists for the Chiefs, who fell to 4-4.

The scores:

San Beda (96) — Kwekuteye 13, Bahio 13, Ynot 11, Sanchez 10, Cortez 10, Andrada 7, Alfaro 7, Cometa 6, Cuntapay 5, Jopia 4, Tagala 3, Payosing 3, Visser 2, Tagle 2, Alloso 0.

Arellano (61) — Menina 10, Doromal 8, Flores 7, Oliva 7, Sunga 7, Mantua 6, Domingo 5, Abastillas 4, Punzalan 3, Talampas 3, Mallari 1, Tolentino 0, Oftana 0.

Quarterscores: 29-9, 55-23, 84-33, 96-61