MANILA, Philippines - San Beda and Jose Rizal U smothered their respective lowly ranked rivals in similar fashions to remain within sight of unbeaten San Sebastian College in the NCAA men’s basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan City yesterday.
The Lions, drawing big games from their big men, pounded the Angeles U Foundation Great Danes, 113-79, while the Bombers went to the prolific pair of John Wilson and Mark Cagoco to blast the Mapua Cardinals, 72-59, in the other contest.
Dave Marcelo, Sudan Daniel, Jay-R Taganas and Jake Pascual powered their way to a combined outputs of 60 points, 35 rebounds, eight assists and four shot blocks as the Lions roared to their 10th straight win and 11th overall in 12 matches.
Wilson, coming off a record-breaking 48-point effort the last time out, and Cagoco fired 18 points apiece to steer the Bombers to their 10th win in 12 matches.
“We don’t want to take this team (AUF) lightly. We just want to come out strong in this game,” said San Beda coach Frankie Lim. “My big men played great, we showed we don’t rely on individual efforts anymore.”
The Lions need three more wins to formalize their stint in the Final Four for the fourth straight season.
The Great Danes and the Cardinals fell to their 11th setback against a win and were officially booted out from the semis race.
In juniors’ action, San Beda overpowered Angeles U Foundation, 168-24, in the league’s most lopsided victory of the season to remain at second place with an 11-1 slate.
Roldan Sara outscored the whole of the AUF team by firing 30 points while Arthur dela Cruz and Raphael Nayve added 19 and 18 points, respectively, to lead six other teammates in double figures.
The Junior Danes fell to their 12th straight setback.
The Red Robins, meanwhile, stunned the Light Bombers, 94-91, in overtime to pick up their second win against 10 defeats while dealing the latter their fourth loss against eight wins.
Lim said they want to build momentum going into their much-awaited game with the Bombers on Sept. 16 in a rematch of last year’s finals.
The Lions will take on the Perpetual Help Altas on Sept. 4 and then face the Arellano U Chiefs on Sept. 9 before squaring off with the Bombers.