Lions repel Knights, nail Final 4 top spot

MANILA, Philippines - San Beda took charge in the middle quarters but floundered and barely held on in a wild finish to beat Letran, 77-73, and clinch the coveted top spot in the 91st NCAA men’s basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan City yesterday.

Nigerians Ola Adeogun and Donald Tankoua and Arthur dela Cruz imposed their will and strength against the smaller Knights and combined for 31 points and 34 rebounds to lead the reigning five-peat champions to their 13th win against five defeats at the close of their elims campaign.

It was San Beda’s 10th straight Final Four appearance and the victory handed the Lions the No. 1 spot for a twice-to-beat edge in the next round.

Letran slid to second at 12-5 with the Knights needing to hurdle the Perpetual Help Altas tomorrow to nail the No. 2 spot and the other semis incentive.

San Beda used its deep bench to seize control early with Amiel Soberano finishing with 11 points, spiked by three triples, and Jayvee Mocon adding nine points while shackling Letran’s shooters.

SBC coach Jamike Jarin used all his 15 players and the ploy paid dividends as the Lions appeared fresh in a wild finish while Knights lost steam trying to overhaul their rivals’ double-digit lead down the stretch.

“I’ve been criticized for using all my 15 players. Now they see why. I did it for big games like this,” said Jarin, whose wards broke away from a tight first quarter with big runs in the next, posting a 43-25 bulge at the break. “Had we lost this game, we would’ve been in big trouble. I’m glad everyone stepped up today (yesterday).”

Earlier, Arellano banked on a fourth triple-double effort of Jio Jalalon as the Chiefs survived the Emilio Aguinaldo Colelge Generals, 98-90, to grab solo third at 12-6 in a mad race to the semis.

Jalalon fired a game-high 31 points and hauled down 10 rebounds and finished with 10 assists but made nine turnovers as the Chiefs assured themselves of at least a playoff for the last semis seat.

“We took care of things, that’s the most important thing,” said Arellano coach Jerry Codinera.

Mapua also stayed in the Final Four hunt with a 77-72 victory over St. Benilde to force a three-way tie for third at 11-6 with Perpetual Help and Jose Rizal U.

Darell Menina, a rookie from Cebu, led the way with 17 points while Nigerian Allwell Oraeme finished with 15 points and game-high 23 rebounds.

In juniors’ action, Mapua downed La Salle-Greenhills, 64-57, to clinch the No. 2 seed with a 15-2 mark while Arellano routed EAC, 92-74, to book the No. 3 seed in the Final Four with a 12-6 slate.

The Junior Archers fell to joint fourth with the Lyceum of the Philippine U Junior Pirates with 11-7 marks. They clash in a sudden death next week.

Meanwhile, the NCAA donated the net proceeds of the San Beda-Letran game to Samboy Lim, a former Letran alumnus. 

Blue Letran Knights shirts bearing Lim’s No. 19 were also sold inside and outside the venue with proceeds also going to the cage legend.

Lim’s younger brother, Anthony, another former Letran player, received the cash donations from the NCAA board chaired by Melchor Divina of Mapua.

The scores:

First Game

Mapua  77- Menina 17, Oraeme 15, Biteng 12, Nimes 9, Serrano 9, Isit 8, Nieles 5, Brana 2, Que 0, Raflores 0

St. Benilde 72- Saavedra 19, Ongteco 14, J. Domingo 10, Fajarito 7, Young 6, Jonson 5, Grey 4, S. Domingo 3, Sta. Maria 2, San Juan 2, Nayve 0, Deles 0, Castor 0, Flores 0

Quarterscores: 18-11; 33-28; 54-48; 77-72

Second Game

Arellano 98- Jalalon 31, Nicholls 15, Enriquez 11, Salado 11, Gumaru 8, Meca 7, Holts 4, Cadavis 4, de Guzman 3, Bangga 2, Tano 2, Ongolo 0, Ortega 0, Zamora 0

EAC 90- Onwubere 24, Hamadou 20, Munsayac 15, Mejos 13, General 8, Bonleon 5, Diego 5, Pascual 0, Corilla 0, Estacio 0

Quarterscores: 26-16; 52-38; 74-61; 98-90

Third Game

San Beda 77- Adeogun 13, Soberano 11, Amer 10, Tankoua 10, Koga 9, Mocon 9, dela Cruz 8, Tongco 3, Cabanag 2, Sorela 2, Sara 0, Presbiterio 0, Sedillo 0

Letran 73- Nambatac 16, Cruz 12, Balanza 11, Luib 9, Quinto 8, Apreku 7, Racal 6, Sollano 2, Calvo 2, Publico 0

Quarterscores: 19-15; 43-25; 61-48; 77-73