Lanete seals Lions' share of NCAA lead

MANILA, Philippines - San Beda, with Garvo Lanete turning in a career-best 32-point performance, scored an expected 103-62 rout of Emilio Aguinaldo as it regained a share of the lead with San Sebastian in the 87th NCAA men’s basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan City yesterday.

The sweet-shooting Lanete made all but two of his 10 perimeter shots and hit five of his 10 attempts from outside the arc while adding five rebounds and four steals, another season best, as he led the team to its fifth straight victory.

“I got an excellent game from Garvo,” said San Beda coach Frankie Lim.

The Generals fell to their second straight defeat and third overall against two victories.

In the second game, St. Benilde went to the free throw line down the stretch as it survived a furious, spirited fightback by Perpetual Help to eke out an 88-83 win.

It was the Blazers’ second win in five outings while dealing the Altas their fifth loss against a win, a 79-77 triple overtime triumph over Jose Rizal last Monday.

The Lions’ 103 output thus stood as the season’s highest since the Mendiola-based squad thumped Arellano, 92-67, last July 18.

It was also the first time that San Beda won by 40 points or more since its 106-66 demolition of the same EAC team on July 10 last year.

Juan Taha paced the Blazers with 18 points while Jan Tan, Carlo Lastimosa, Mark Romero and Jonathan Grey chipped in 15, 13, 11 and 10, respectively.

The Altas unloaded a barrage of triples to turn a 56-67 deficit into a 75-73 lead. But the Blazers clamped down on defense to stymie Perpetual’s playpatterns then steadied on the line to preserve the win.