Luke Sese canned in two of the San Beda Red Cubs' four triples in the third period on the way to bringing down the Arellano Braves, 94-65, Thursday night at the Arena in San Juan.
This gave the Red Cubs a three-game winning streak in the 93rd National Collegiate Athletic Association junior basketball tournament.
Because of this, the Red Cubs went on to claim their ninth win in five matches.
This kept them at the third spot, and close to the defending champion Mapua University Red Robins, who have 10-4 slate at no. 2.
With their records close, the Red Cubs stayed in contention for a twice-to-beat incentive in the Final Four.
The Red Cubs began relying on their outside shooting in the third quarter, and after the Braves tried to slow things down with their zone defense.
Sese went on score a season-high 18 points for the Red Cubs, including 10 in the third, while Evan Nelle tallied 14 points.
“Nasu-shoot ko. Kumpiyansa lang,” said the 18-year old Sese, a 12th grader.
With the Braves close by, 35-39, Nelle drove in off Sese’s rebound, before Addie Velasquez scored on a triple in the last 8:54 to send the Red Cubs ahead, 44-35.
Two more triples from Peter Alfaro and Sese followed during a 14-5 run, and the Red Lions went on to enjoy a 58-40 spread with 4:35 to go.
Sese connected with his last trey for the period in the final 3:26, and the Red Cubs took a 61-41 spread.
“They (teammates) were looking for him. The Braves were zoning. Alam nilang shooter siya,” said Red Cubs coach JB Sison.
Sison said they will have to keep winning games, and they have to, with Letran Squires (8-6), and the San Sebastian Staglets (7-6) and the Lyceum Junior Pirates (7-7) hounding them.
The Braves, with Kobe Camacho making 15 points, are out of contention at 6-8.
