Dolphins, Altas top NCAA elims

Philippine Christian University smothered San Beda, 79-67, yesterday and gained an outright twice-to-beat advantage in the NCAA Final Four at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.

Already assured of a post-elimination round stint, the Dolphins worked hard just the same, foiling repeated rallies by the Red Lions as they notched their seventh straight triumph and a possible top seeding on a 10-4 win-loss card.

University of Perpetual Help Dalta System subdued Mapua Tech, 71-63, to capture the other twice-to-beat spot.

Jon-jon Refuerzo fired a season-high 13-points and came up with two crucial defensive stops in the final two minutes for the Altas, who finished the eliminations tied at first place with the Dolphins.

Dom Javier led the Altas with 24 points, 11 rebounds, five assists and three steals. Erwin Sta. Maria had 24 for Mapua, which together with San Beda, will be praying for a San Sebastian loss to Letran on Friday in a bid to salvage at least a playoff for the fourth and final semifinal berth.

Veteran Robert Sanz had a game-high 24 points and nine rebounds for PCU, which finished the eliminations with a sweep of the second round for a second straight Final Four appearance.

Coming off a big win over the San Sebastian Stags three days ago, the Red Lions came up short this time against the high-flying Dolphins. The Mendiola-based school finished the elims with a 7-7 card.

"My boys are peaking just at the right time for the Final Four," said PCU coach Loreto Tolentino, who is also a mentor of NAASCU multi-titled squad University of Manila. "They responded very well during our timeouts, especially whenever San Beda was threatening."

After San Beda tasted its only lead of the match at, 25-24, four minutes into the second quarter, PCU countered with a 15-7 run to finish the first half comfortably on top, 39-32.

The Red Lions played catch up from then on as the Dolphins found ways to gain some leverage, coming up with a triple, a defensive gem, or an offensive putback every time the San Beda tried to crawl back into the game.

PCU sealed its perfect second roundup with 7-of-8 shooting from the free throw line in the final two minutes.

Ian Garrido and Jason Castro scattered 13 markers apiece for the Dolphins who also drew 11 points and nine assists from John Retaga. Gabby Espinas had 11 boards.

Jeff Bombeo and Yousif Aljamal topscored for the Red Lions with 17 and 15, while top Lion Arjun Cordero could only show up with two points. — Nathan Lee