PBA-bound Dela Cruz flirts with triple double in Lion's 9th win

MANILA, Philippines -- San Beda woke up from a slow start and overwhelmed a Jonathan Grey-less St. Benilde, 89-63, Friday to remain on top in the 91st NCAA basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan City.

Up by just a point in the first quarter, the Lions made their move in the second and then finished the Blazers off with a series of big runs in the third quarter to nail their ninth victory against two defeats.

Arthur dela Cruz continued to show MVP form and came three assists shy of a triple-double with 17 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists while Nigerian Ola Adeogun came back from a one-game suspension to post 12 points and seven boards.

San Beda's bench headed by the troika of Amiel Soberano, Ranbill Tongco and Cameroonian Donald Tankoua chipped in 12, 11 and 10 points, respectively, most of it came in the third period when the Lions made the separation.

"The third quarter run helped us pull away," said San Beda coach Jamike Jarin.

St. Benilde, in contrast, was helpless without Grey, who was in uniform and sat on the bench but was never used a single second.

Curiously, the benching came after Grey, who has averaged 17.89 points, 5.22 boards, 3.33 assists and 2.11 steals, emerged the MVP of the NCAA All Star Game last week.

The Blazers fell to 2-9.

In the other game, Cameroon's Jean Victor Nguidjol pounded his way to 15 points, 17 caroms and four blocks to lead Lyceum to its first streak of the season with a 71-67 victory over San Sebastian.

Mer Ayaay scattered 16 points to help Nguidjol and the Pirates snare their second win in row and third overall against seven defeats.

The Stags fell to 3-8.

In juniors' action, San Beda overpowered La Salle-Greenhills, 82-70, to remain unscathed with 11 wins while Lyceum dominated San Sebastian, 78-49, to improve to 7-3.

The scores:

First Game
San Beda 89- dela Cruz 17, Soberano 12, Adeogun 12, Koga 11, Tongco 11, Tankoua 10, Cabanag 7, Mocon 4, Reyes 3, Bonsubre 2, Sara 0, Sorela 0, Sedillo 0
St. Benilde 63- J. Domingo 20, Fajarito 11, Saavedra 10, Young 9, Ongteco 3, Deles 3, Jonson 2, Sta. Maria 2, San Juan 2, Flores 1, Nayve 0, Castor 0, Dixon 0
Quarterscores: 13-12; 38-31; 62-42; 89-63

Second Game
Lyceum 71- Ayaay 16, Nguidjol 15, Bulawan 10, Soliman 8, Taladua 8, Alanes 6, Baltazar 5, Mbida 3, Sunga 0, Malabanan 0, Lacastesantos 0, Lugo 0
San Sebastian 67- Costelo 17, Ortuoste 12, Calisaan 10, Guinto 8, Fabian 7, David 6, Pretta 3, Sibal 2, Capobres 2, Santos 0, Bulanadi 0
Quarterscores: 22-9; 37-21; 57-47; 71-67