Lions shuffle Cards, claim 3rd semis slot

MANILA, Philippines - San Beda bucked the loss of key players and routed Mapua, 76-59, to clinch the third semifinal berth in the 87th NCAA men’s basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan City yesterday.

Without last year’s MVP American Sudan Daniel (ACL) and Fil-Aussie Anthony Semerad (calf), the Lions leaned on Garvo Lanete (20 points), Baser Amer (13), Jess Villahermosa (11) and Jake Pascual (9) in a big second quarter run to seize control, 44-26, at the turn.

They kept double digit spreads in the last two quarters to nail the crucial win and join unbeaten San Sebastian and Letran in the semis with an 11-2 card.

“We’re playing not just without Sudan but also Anthony so I told the players to step up,” said San Beda coach Frankie Lim, who dedicated the win to San Beda Rector Fr. Aloysius Maranan, OSB, who celebrated his birthday and 25th monastic year yesterday.

The victory also came after the Lions took a harrowing 65-76 beating from the Jose Rizal Bombers last week.

The win also sent San Beda to its sixth straight post-season appearance and fifth Final Four stint. The Lions didn’t go through the Final Four stage last year after sweeping their way straight to the finals before claiming the crown.

“The ultimate goal is to really make it to the finals and win the championship again,” said Lim.

The loss dropped the Cardinals to a three-way tie for fourth with the JRU Bombers and the Lyceum Pirates at 6-9 (win-loss).

Earlier, Letran demolished Emilio Aguinaldo, 80-58, in a game that saw the ejection of two players for putting up fighting stance.

MVP candidate Kevin Alas came through with 20 points, 11 rebounds, six assists, a steal and a block while elder brother Kris Alas and Raymond Almazan combined for 23 points and 14 rebounds as the Knights bucked the absence of skipper Jam Cortes, who served out a one-game suspension.

EAC’s Roy Villegas elbowed Letran’s Carlo Lituania, who responded with a fighting stance. EAC’s Renz Juliano was also tossed out for the same offense with Lituania and Juliano both assessed with an automatic one-game suspension.

It was the Knights’ 12th win in 14 outings as they stayed at No. 2 behind the Stags, unbeaten in 15 games.

“My other big guys stepped up in the absence of Jam (Cortes),” said Letran coach Louie Alas.

He, however, blasted his wards for their terrible free throw shooting as the Knights flubbed 23 of the 45 attempts.

“Terrible is an understatement,” he said.

The Generals fell to their 11th defeat against four wins.