Nigerian Sam Ekwe delivered in the clutch for back-to-back champion San Beda College as it downed Jose Rizal University, 71-59, to gain a share of the lead with its victim in the 84th NCAA senior’s basketball tournament yesterday at the Astrodome in Pasay City.

The 6-foot-8 Ekwe unleashed an array of jumpers in the second half as he powered the three-peat seeking Red Lions, who improved to 8-3, the same win-loss record of the Heavy Bombers.

The win also avenged a 74-79 setback to the same team when they met in the first round last month. “Sam’s confidence is back, hindi lang siya maasahan sa inside game but also his outside game,” SBC mentor Frankie Lim said. “ “I’m happy that we’re back on top, makakatulong ito going to our last three games,” Lim added, referring to his team’s remaining games with College of St. Benilde, San Sebastian College-Recoletos and Letran. After they allowed the Bombers to post a 10-point lead midway in the second quarter, 25-15, the Red Lions used a 12-0 capped by a three-point play by Ogie Menor for a 27-25 lead at halftime.

San Beda continued its hot shooting in the third period, where it erected a 40-30 lead with Ekwe scoring a shot clock-beating jumper at the 6:08 mark. Jose Rizal, whose eight-game winning streak snapped, never recovered as the Mendiola-based team repelled several rallies in the final quarter with Ekwe scoring at will from the outside. Ekwe registered 17 points, shooting 6-of-12 from the field, with 12 rebounds and three blocked shots, while Borgie Hermida and Pong Escobal added 15 markers apiece for the Lions.

In the battle of also-rans, Philippine Christian University posted its first winning streak of the season by beating University of Perpetual Help System DALTA, 59-51. The Dolphins, who played without veterans Beau Belga and Leimar Navarro for the second straight game, improved to 3-8, while the Altas suffered its 10th setback in 11 starts. “We will go all-out in our remaining games sa eliminations. Yung mga natitira kong mga players, they are working hard para manalo,” said PCU coach Joel Dualan.

In the juniors division, Joshua Saret registered 28 points, seven steals and five assists as the Jose Rizal Light Bombers took solo third place with a 76-66 win over the San Beda Red Cubs for a 6-4 record.

The scores:

First Game Jose Rizal (76) – Saret 28, Agovida 19, Vigil 17, Madlangbayan 10, Mathias 2, Villena 0, Regis 0, Barranco 0, Oliveria 0, Vital 0. San Beda (66) – Dela Cruz 18, Magat K. 17, Ayala 8, Javier 7, Feliciano 6, Ludovive 5, Moralde 5, Verzosa 0, Magat M. 0, Amin 0, Mozo 0. QS: 14-14; 22-35; 44-53; 76-66

Second Game (Srs) PCU (59) – Allen 9, Arce 8, Vidal 8, Siruma 8, McCoy 7, Sumera 7, Amparado 6, Gomez 6, Busa 0, San Pedro 0. Perpetual (51) – Kong M. 12, Balboa 9, Mejos 8, Salanga 8, Reyes 3, Ynion 3, Kong J. 0, Rono 0, Hainga 0. QS: 17-11; 35-22; 52-32; 59-51

Third Game (Srs) San Beda (71) – Ekwe 17, Escobal 15, Hermida 15, Menor 13, Tecson 4, Pascual 3, Gamalinda 2, Taganas 2, Tirona 0, Marcelo 0. Jose Rizal (59) – Cagoco 16, Wilson 10, Hayes 9, Nocom 8, Sena 7, Bulangis 5, Njei 4, Agas 0, Montemayor 0, Pradas 0. QS: 12-14; 27-25; 49-43; 71-59