Defending three-time champion San Beda University kept its hot form and trounced Jose Rizal University, 65-47, to stay perfect in the NCAA Season 95 yesterday at The Arena in San Juan.
After playing catch up in the first half, the Red Lions turned things around late in the third round behind a 16-0 blast for a 58-43 advantage and never looked back.
San Beda’s win improved its record to 12-0 as the Red Lions moved closer from claiming the first playoff berth, while sending the Heavy Bombers to their eight defeat in 12 games.
Fil-Canadian James Canlas-Kwekuteye led San Beda with 18 points and seven rebounds, while MVP leading contender Calvin Oftana contributed 12 points and seven boards.
Evan Nelle and Cameroonian Donald Tankoua finished with 11 and 10 points, respectively.
Agem Miranda led the JRU with 14 points.
Meanwhile, four teams, led by two-time losing finalist Lyceum, try to press their Final Four drives today at The Arena in San Juan City.
The Pirates, who lost to league-leading San Beda University in both occasions they made it to the finals the past two seasons, collide with the College of St. Benilde Blazers at 2 p.m.
Having dropped three of their last four games, the Blazers of coach TY Tang can’t afford to relax as they already slipped into the middle of standings with a 6-4 card.
The Pirates, on the other hand, are looking good with an 8-3 mark.
Equally important is the 4 p.m. showdown between San Sebastian College-Recoletos and Letran with the Stags out to boost their 7-3 card while the Knights are likewise determined to notch their 8th win in 12 starts.
Toting a 4-6 mark, Mapua needs to hurdle Emilio Aguinaldo College in their 12 noon showdown if it wants to enhance its own semis bid.
San Beda, which was playing against University of Perpetual Help, holds the best record of 11-0.
As things stand, Tang said every game is important even for the mighty Lions.
“That’s the competition in the league right now. It just means we have to fight to keep our hopes alive and it’s the same to the others,” said Tang, who is hoping to lead the Blazers back to the semifinals on his third season.
“We have to try to get back to the winning column. Take it a game at a time until this season ends,” added Tang, whose team started the season with a 5-0 record.
Tang and the Blazers are hoping to avenge their 74-71 defeat in the first round.
The red-hot Stags, on the other hand, try to extend their win streak to six, which interestingly started with a 102-101 overtime win against Letran last Aug. 20.
In that game, RK Ilagan and Allyn Bulanadi combined for 43 points.
The sweet-shooting Bulanadi – in contention for the MVP plum – is coming off a career-best 32 points in San Sebastian’s 83-67 win over St. Benilde last week. (Waylon Galvez)