Games Friday
(MOA Arena)
2 p.m. – San Beda vs Perpetual (Srs.)
4 p.m. – Arellano vs Mapua (Srs.)
For the third straight time, San Beda overpowered Arellano with its all-around game and posted an 80-73 victory yesterday to clinch the No. 1 spot in the semifinals of the NCAA men’s basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan.
The Red Lions turned back the Chiefs after a tight contest in the first three quarters, dominating the payoff period to bolster their title chances.
It was San Beda’s 11th straight win to gain the No. 1 seeding which comes in handy as it faces fourth-ranked University of Perpetual Help in the Final Four on Friday at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Arellano settled for the No. 2 seat and is set to collide with No. 3 Mapua in the next round.
Both San Beda and Arellano, however, enjoy a twice-to-beat semis advantage.
“This is good because you always want to go to the Final Four with a win. We need that momentum,” said San Beda coach Jamike Jarin, whose team beat Arellano, 101-86, in the first round, and 91-81 in the second round just last Friday.
Leading, 60-59, in the third period, the Red Lions intensified their offense and toughened up on defense entering the fourth with Benedict Adamos draining six straight points to pad the edge to 66-60.
Adamos set the tone for the Red Lions, with AC Soberano hitting from behind the arc as the Chiefs failed to stop the onslaught.
Scores:
SAN BEDA 80 – Soberano 26, Bolick 14, Adamos 14, Sara 10, Mocon 6, Noah 5, Presbitero 3, Potts 2, Bonsubre 0, Tongco 0, Navarro 0, Oftana 0, Carlos 0.
ARELLANO 73 – Jalalon 14, Salado 11, Gumaru 11, Villoria 10, Flores 6, Cañete 6, Enriquez 5, Holts 3, Aguilar 3, Meca 2, Cadavis 2, Nicholls 0, Zamora 0, Gupilan 0.
Quarters: 23-22; 38-35; 60-59; 80-73.
