Lions clinch playoff berth

MANILA, Philippines - San Beda hardly missed the absence of skipper Borgie Hermida as it rolled past Arellano U with relative ease, 70-54, to claim at least a playoff for a twice-to-beat advantage in the Final Four of the 86th NCAA men’s basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan City.

Alder dela Rosa fired 17 points while Sudan Daniel, Jake Pascual and Dave Marcelo combined for 32 points as the Red Lions streaked to their 13th straight victory and zeroed in on one of the two semis incentives.

More importantly, San Beda moved three wins away from sweeping the double-round elimination for an outright berth in the best-of-three final.

Hermida, recovering from flu, didn’t see action for the second straight game as San Beda coach Frankie Lim reserved his prized guard for the last three games against Jose Rizal (11-3) on Monday, Letran (6-8) next week and defending champion San Sebastian (12-1) on Sept. 29.

The Chiefs, who were paced by Adrian Celada’s 19 points, bowed out of the Final Four race with a 5-9 card.

The streaking San Beda is also closing in on the league’s longest streak at 15 accomplished by San Sebastian last year.

Earlier, St. Benilde overcame Perpetual Help, 70-64, in a non-bearing contest to nail its fifth win against 10 losses.