MANILA, Philippines - San Beda notched its second straight win with a 58-52 victory over National University as it grabbed the early lead in Group A of the fourth FCBL Freego Cup at the Buddhacare gym recently.
The Red Cubs leaned on Francis Abarcan in the last period to bail the defending champions out of trouble and into the solo lead in their group in the annual high school cagefest backed by Talk n Text.
Abarcan scattered 10 of his team-high 15 points in the fourth as the Red Cubs turned back the Bullpups. Abarcan also bagged the Freego Player of the Game award.
Ralph Atangan fired 18 points for NU, which took its first defeat in the tournament backed by Powerbest Mktg Inc., Colt Commercial, Old Chinatown Kopitiam, Mandarin Sky Seafood Shabu-Shabu Restaurant, Jumbo Plastic Linolium, Fresh Gear, Apple Tape and Hapee Toothpaste.
Meanwhile, national youth team mainstay Jeron Teng powered Xavier to a 101-77 rout over Jose Rizal University in another Group A battle.
Teng finished with 33 points while Paolo Cabero added 12 points. Aldrin Fegidero led the Light Bombers with 26.
Letran also won its opening game assignment with a 79-74 win over Adamson in Group B. Rey Nambatac led the Squires with 16 points while Carl dela Cruz had 15 points for the Baby Falcons.