Lions rout Chiefs, clinch top seed in Final Four

MANILA, Philippines -- San Beda reasserted its supremacy of the league after it massacred a surprisingly hapless Arellano U, 97-69, Friday, to clinch to the top seeding in the Final Four of the 90th NCAA basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan City.

Baser Amer erupted for 21 points including eight in the fourth quarter when the Lions tore the game apart in sealing the No. 1 seed and a Final Four showdown with the No. 4 Perpetual Help Altas on Wednesday at the MOA Arena in Pasay City needing one win to barge into the finals for the ninth straight season.

The Chiefs fell to No. 2 and will clash with the No. 3 Jose Rizal Bombers in the other Final Four joust also needing just a victory to advance.

It also marked the ninth straight time that San Beda emerged as the top seed entering the Final Four eventually making it to the finals in all those seasons and winning seven of it including the last four.

The Lions also ended an alarming three-game skid, their longest in the last nine years, while avenging their 76-78 defeat at the hands of the Chiefs last week that relegated them to No. 2 for a brief period.

Until Arellano U got ambushed by Lyceum in a painful 96-101 loss last Wednesday and dropping this recent one to San Beda.

"I have to thank Lyceum for giving us a chance to get this top seeding and credit to the boys also for stepping up," said San Beda coach Boyet Fernandez.

Second Game:

San Beda 97- Amer 21, Adeogun 15, Pascual 14, Sara 10, Dela Cruz 10, Mendoza 9, Koga 7, A. Semerad 6, D. Semerad 5, Tongco 0

Arellano U 69- Hernandez 11, Agovida 10, Jalalon 8, Holts 8, Cadavis 6, Nichols 5, Caperal 4, Enriquez 4, Ortega 3, Gumaru 2, Salcedo 2, Ciriacruz 2, Pinto 2, Palma 0

Quarterscores: 18-22; 43-32; 67-56; 97-69