By ADRIAN STEWART CO
Yukien Andrada had another blazing offensive game as the San Beda University Red Lions walloped the Lyceum of the Philippines University Pirates, 74-56, in the NCAA Season 99 men’s basketball tournament at the FilOil EcoOil Arena in San Juan City on Tuesday night, November 21.
The 6-foot-5 forward caught fire with six three-point conversions for a career-high of 26 points, to go with five rebounds, two assists and one steal as the Red Lions moved closer to sealing a Final Four seat.
“I did not expect that I will get my career high. [San Beda head] coach Yuri [Escueta] just told me that if I have the open shots na, I just take it every time,” Andrada said in a post-game interview.
“It was part of coach Yuri’s system din na kapag may open shot kami from the outside, we are allowed to take it,” he said.
“Luckily for me, my outside shots are falling in the past few games,” he added.
With an 11-6 win-loss record, the Red Lions are now assured of at least a playoff for the fourth spot in the Final Four with still a game remaining on their schedule against the Colegio de San Juan de Letran Knights on Friday, November 24.
The victory of the Red Lions also eliminated the University of Perpetual Help Altas from the Final Four picture even though they scored a 75-60 victory over the San Sebastian College Golden Stags in the first game.
The Red Lions can secure an outright Final Four seat if they defeat the Knights, and if the Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers lose their remaining games.
They will compete for the no. 4 spot if they end up tied in the standings.
“Sa amin naman, hindi namin iniisip ‘yung mga scenarios or ‘yung mga ibang teams. Ang iniisip lang namin is ‘yung sarili namin, ‘yung mga remaining games pa namin,” Andrada said.
“As much as possible, we want to win our remaining games in the second round to solidify our spot in the Final Four. So, for sure, we will prepare hard for Letran this coming Friday,” he added.
Enoch Valdez finished with 17 points and seven rebounds, while Shawn Umali added 14 markers for the Pirates, which remained at no. 2 in the standings despite dropping to 13-5./ASC, WDJ