Lions share 5th win in row makes SBC joint leader

Games today 

10 a.m. – Mapua vs Letran (jrs)

12 noon  – Arellano vs St. Benilde (jrs)

2 p.m. – Mapua vs Letran (srs)

4 p.m. – Arellano vs St. Benilde (srs)

MANILA, Philippines - San Beda relied heavily on its Nigerian reinforcements as it blasted San Sebastian, 92-81, yesterday to gain a share of the lead with Letran in the 91st NCAA men’s basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan City.

Ola Adeogun powered his way to 28 points and dominated the boards with 14 rebounds while Donald Tankoua came off the bench to fire 11 markers and pull down seven boards as the Lions roared to their fifth straight win for an overall 7-1 slate.

“They were our anchor today (yesterday),” said San Beda coach Jamike Jarin, referring to the Adeogun-Tankoua pair.

The defending five-time champion San Beda thus tied Letran at the helm, stretching their win to five after dropping an 80-93 loss to the Knights.

After leading by as many as 17 points in the fourth quarter, the Lions wavered, enabling the Stags to pull within one several times, the last at 79-80 on a Michael Calisaan basket with less than four minutes to go.

But the Lions hung tough to secure the win.

The Stags fell to 2-7.

Earlier, Lyceum used its size advantage to the hilt as it trounced Emilio Aguinaldo College, 69-55, to keep its slim hopes alive with a 2-7 slate.

Cameroonian Jean Nguidjol shot 12 points, snared 13 rebounds and made two shot blocks while Joseph Gabayni had 11 points, nine boards and a block to help the Pirates end a four-game slide.

“We took it strong inside and our bigs gave us a lift,” said Lyceum coach Topex Robinson.

Lyceum dominated the boards, 57-37, behind the bullstrong duo of Nguidjol and Gabayni with Mer Ayaay also coming away with 12 rebounds.

EAC’s campaign suffered a blow when Mbang Adou Abba decided to go home to Cameroon for good, leaving compatriot Laminou Hamadou to carry the cudgels for the Generals, who broke the Knights’ seven-game run via an 83-69 rout last week.

Hamadou ended up with eight points, 12 boards and four blocks as the Generals slipped to 2-7.

The scores

First Game (srs)

Lyceum 69 – Nguidjol 12, Gabayni 11, Baltazar 10, Alanes 9, Ayaay 8, Lugo 8, Bulawan 6, Mbida 5, Sunga 0, Malabanan 0, Soliman 0, Lacastesantos 0

EAC 55 – Munsayac 15, Hamadou 8, Pascua 6, Corilla 6, Morada 5, Onwubere 5, Bonleon 4, Diego 4, Pascual 2, General 0, Mallari 0

Quarterscores: 22-11, 40-25, 49-41, 69-55

Second Game (srs)

San Beda 92 – Adeogun 28, dela Cruz 13, Koga 12, Tankoua 11, Sara 10, Tongco 8, Mocon 6, Cabanag 3, Solera 1, Soberano 0, Reyes 0, Bonsubre 0, Presbitorio 0, Sedillo 0

San Sebastian 81 – Costelo 18, Calisaan 17, Ortuoste 13, Fabian 10, Guinto 9, Bulanadi 5, Santos 3, Sibal 2, David 2, Capobres 2, Pretta 0, Mercado 0

Quarterscores: 27-20, 53-39, 78-61, 92-81