San Beda’s Big Win Comes With a Reminder: Layo Pa Tayo

Aldous Torculas carried the Red Lions throughout the game, while Andrei Ugaddan came up big during crunch time.

Torculas finished with a game-high 29 points, six rebounds, and one assist, while Ugaddan knocked down back-to-back three-pointers late in the fourth quarter to put San Beda ahead.

JRU had one last chance to force overtime, but Sean Salvador’s three-point attempt went in and out as the defending champions held on for the win, 65-62. 

The victory handed JRU its first loss of NCAA Season 102 and moved San Beda to 2-1.

For Escueta, however, the win was important without being a reason to get ahead of themselves.

“Layo pa tayo, but this win is very important to us, especially early in the eliminations.”

Ugaddan, meanwhile, said his late-game heroics were a product of the work he has put in.

“Ine-extra ko ’yon, at sinasabi naman ni Coach Yuri na kapag pinagtrabahuhan mo, may bunga.”

Torculas had his own reason to stay grounded despite putting together one of his biggest games of the season.

“Siyempre sobrang grateful talaga ko na binibigay niya yung trust sa akin and kagaya ng sabi ni Coach Yuri malayo pa, marami pa pwede pag trabahuhan so stay ready lang and stay consistent.” Torculas said.

His performance came as San Beda needed someone to step up against a JRU team that entered the game unbeaten.

The win also gave San Beda a response after JRU swept the Red Lions in the FilOil EcoOil Preseason Cup Finals.

The Heavy Bombers won Game 1, 70-59, before taking Game 2, 74-67, with Mangubat scoring 27 points in the clincher and earning Finals MVP honors.

This time, with the games already counting, San Beda got the win.

But both Escueta and Torculas know one victory — even against an unbeaten JRU team — does not change the bigger picture.

“Layo pa tayo.”

For San Beda, the message remains simple: celebrate the win, then get back to work.