The San Beda Red Lions escaped with a nail-biting 76–75 victory over the Arellano University Chiefs in a thrilling Filoil EcoOil Preseason Cup clash on June 24, 2026. The one-point margin encapsulated a contest that swung back and forth until the final buzzer, offering a glimpse of the intensity both teams will bring into the upcoming NCAA and NCAA-affiliated seasons.

Match Overview

From the opening tip, both sides showed crisp execution and defensive grit. The Red Lions, known for their disciplined system under head coach Yuri Escueta, leaned on balanced scoring and a rugged interior presence. The Chiefs, hungry to prove themselves after a rebuilding phase, countered with quick perimeter attacks and tenacious rebounding. The first half saw runs from both teams, with San Beda taking a slim 38–36 lead into the break.

The third quarter belonged to Arellano, as they tightened their defense and forced turnovers to spark transition buckets. By the end of the period, the Chiefs had stretched their advantage to 60–54, and the San Beda bench looked unsettled. However, the Red Lions responded with a composed fourth-quarter push, leaning on veteran leadership and timely three-point shooting to chip away at the deficit.

Key Moments

• Go-ahead basket: With under 30 seconds remaining, San Beda forward Jomel Puno knocked down a mid-range jumper to give the Red Lions a 76–75 lead.
• Missed opportunity: Arellano had a chance to win on the final possession, but a contested three-pointer by guard Andrei Villafuerte rimmed out at the buzzer.
• Free-throw struggles: The Chiefs missed four free throws in the last two minutes, leaving critical points on the line.

Tactical Story

San Beda’s ability to adjust its pick-and-roll defense in the second half was crucial. After Arellano’s guards repeatedly attacked the paint in the third quarter, the Red Lions switched to a zone look that slowed the Chiefs’ driving lanes. Offensively, the Red Lions spread the floor and used high-post entries to get Puno and big man Yukien Andrada involved. Arellano, meanwhile, relied on outside shooting early but struggled to find consistent looks when San Beda extended its pressure beyond the arc.

Standout Players

For San Beda, Jomel Puno finished with 18 points and 9 rebounds, delivering the game-winner in clutch time. Guard Bryan Sajonia added 14 points and 4 assists, directing the offense with composure. On the Arellano side, Andrei Villafuerte poured in a game-high 22 points and grabbed 6 rebounds, while standout forward Justin Tupa contributed a double-double of 12 points and 11 boards.

Season & Table Impact

Although the Filoil EcoOil Preseason Cup is primarily a developmental tournament, the result carries significant momentum. San Beda improves to 4–1 in the competition, strengthening its case as a preseason favorite. Arellano, now 2–3, showed flashes of competitiveness against a traditionally strong program, which should boost their confidence as they prepare for the NCAA wars ahead. Both teams will look to refine their execution as the tournament progresses, with many more intriguing matchups still on the slate.