MAPUA dealt San Beda its first season opening loss in 17 years following a 66-55 victory last night in the NCAA men’s basketball tournament at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Arvin Gamboa had 12 points, while Brian Lacap and Joaqui Garcia added 11 and 10 points, respectively for the Cardinals, last season’s runner-up.

The defeat spoiled the debut of new Red Lions coach Yuri Garcia.

The last time San Beda opened the season with a loss was on June 25, 2005 where it bowed to former member Philippine Christian University, 50-68.

James Kwekuteye was the lone bright spot for the Red Lions with 15 points.

Earlier, Arellano University opened its NCAA men’s basketball campaign with a 63-58 conquest of Emilio Aguinaldo College.

The Generals last led, 55-53, on a Kris Gurtiza drive when the Chiefs scored six straight points capped by a Shane Menina lay-up to build a four-point cushion with 1:44 remaining.

Ralph Robin’s three-pointer with 42.3 seconds left put EAC to put within 58-59 when Menina countered by sinking two charities off a JP Maguliano foul for Arellano to gain a 61-58 advantage.

Robin tried to turn things around for the Generals in the final 11 seconds but missed a potential game-tying triple and Axel Doromal pulled down the rebound.

Fouled by Allen Liwag with 5.1 seconds remaining, Doromal sank two buffer free throws to seal the win for the Chiefs.

It was Arellano’s second consecutive season-opening win. The Legarda-based squad replaced Letran as opening day opponent as the defending champions entered health and safety protocols a few days before the start of the season.

Menina finished with 15 points and five rebounds, Doromal added 13 points and six boards, while Neil Tolentino had 10 points and four boards for the Chiefs.

Liwag produced a double-double with 12 points and 13 rebounds to go with three asssits while Nat Cosejo chipped in 10 points and six boards for EAC.

Liwag took over in the second quarter, as the Generals took a 32-23 lead before settling for a 35-33 halftime buffer. Menina led Arellano’s 10-3 run late in the second period.

The scores:

First game

Arellano (63) — Menina 15, Doromal 13, Tolentino 10, Flores 9, Mantua 5, Oftana 3, Mallari 2, Abastillas 2, Oliva 2, Talampas 2, Sunga 0.
EAC (58) — Liwag 12, Cosejo 10, Maguliano 9, Gurtiza 8, Umpad 8, Luciano 4, Tolentino 4, Robin 3, Balowa 0, An. Doria 0, Ad. Doria 0, Bajon 0.
Quarterscores: 14-17, 33-35, 46-47, 63-58

Second game

Mapua (66) — A. Gamboa 12, Lacap 11, Garcia 10, Salenga 7, Hernandez 6, Bonifacio 6, Nocum 4, Soriano 2, Pido 2, Agustin 2, G. Gamboa 2, Mercado 2, Cuenco 0.
San Beda (55) — Kwekuteye 15, Bahio 9, Penuela 8, Sanchez 6, Visser 6, Cortez 5, Cuntapay 4, Jopia 2, Alfaro 0, Andrada 0, Ynot 0, Cometa 0.
Quarterscores: 18-13, 31-23, 54-37, 66-55

Games today

(Filoil EcoOil Centre)
12 noon – Perpetual vs JRU
3 p.m. – CSB vs LPU