San Beda secures Group A top seed with win over Benilde
The Red Lions finished the group stage at 10-3 and will face either Perpetual Help or San Sebastian in the postseason.
San Beda University defeated De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde 82-69 to secure first place in Group A of the NCAA Season 102 men's basketball tournament. The defending champions ended their group campaign with a 10-3 record.
Head coach Yuri Escueta said a top-two finish was important because it carries a twice-to-beat advantage in the playoffs. He described that incentive as particularly valuable in a competition where any team could beat an opponent.
Escueta credited his squad's resilience through injuries and other setbacks, including the loss of key player Nygel Gonzales during the preseason. He said players had stepped up when teammates were unavailable or struggling, with contributions also coming from the bench.
The coach said the players had earned their position but stressed that their task was not complete. Seeking a third championship in four years, San Beda will begin the postseason against whichever team wins the play-in meeting between the University of Perpetual Help System DALTA and San Sebastian College-Recoletos.
