Red Lions blast Generals, gain Final 4

MANILA, Philippines -  Ola Adeogun dominated in the absence of Noube Happi, coming away with a double-double game to power San Beda to a 96-80 victory over Emilio Aguinaldo College as the Red Lions booked their ninth straight Final Four stint in the NCAA men’s basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan yesterday.

The 6-8 Adeogun, atoning for a misconduct that led to a one-game suspension, posted game-high 25 points and 12 rebounds although the Lions needed a quarter before shaking off the Generals and seizing complete control at the turn, 40-27.

The defending three-peat champions pulled away at 71-46 in the third before cruising in the fourth to notch their 11th victory against two losses.

While San Beda firmed up its hold of the lead, EAC took its 10th loss against three wins and bowed out of the Final Four race.

So dominating was Adeogun that he completed his double-double job in just 18 minutes. 

Held to just five points and three boards in the early going, Adeogun went on an attack mode in the second half, pouring in 12 in the third period then knocking down eight in the last quarter.

“It’s my way of making up for my mistake and telling my team and teammates sorry,” said Adeogun, who was suspended for missing the team’s practice recently.

Baser Amer took charge in the first half, scoring all but four of his 18 points while Arthur dela Cruz matched Adeogun’s performance with 14 points and 15 rebounds with three assists to boot.

Without Happi, the Generals, who drew 14 points from John Tayongtong, failed to sustain their impressive first quarter stint, losing steam in the second as Adeogun started to impose his will and strength.

In the second game, Letran edged San Sebastian, 75-73, to improve to 6-7 and stay in the Final Four hunt.

Kevin Racal fired 20 points while Mark Cruz and John Tambeling added 17 and 13 markers, respectively, for the surging Knights, who remained two games behind fifth-running Perpetual Help and three off No. 4 St. Benilde with five games left in their double-round schedule.

The ousted Stags fell to their 10th straight loss and 11th overall against three wins.