MANILA, Philippines - Defending champion San Beda braced for an expected tough showdown with Jose Rizal U tomorrow with a 64-52 victory over a fighting Mapua side in the NCAA men’s basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan last night.
The Red Lions came out a bit rusty from a long two-week respite, needing clutch baskets from Antonio Jose Caram and Jake Pascual in the final period to dispose of the Cardinals.
The reigning titlists, however, are hopeful the win provides them the boost and momentum they may well need in their anticipated match with the Heavy Bombers at 6 p.m. tomorrow at the same venue.
Jose Rizal (6-1) goes for solo lead while San Beda (5-1) shoots for a share of it with San Sebastian (6-1) in their game.
The Lions closed in on the Bombers and the Stags as they rolled past the Cardinals for a third straight win since their 87-88 upset loss to the Perpetual Help Altas last July 12.
Caram and Pascual keyed San Beda’s crucial surge from a 49-47 count en route to victory while dealing Mapua its fifth loss in seven games.
The Lions showed up for the warm-up in black shirts in dedication to Marc Andrei Marcos, the freshman student from San Beda College of Law who died from injuries he suffered during fraternity initiation rites in Dasmarinas City, Cavite earlier this week.
Earlier, Letran established control on a decisive 15-4 run at the start of the second half and went on to notch its third straight win with a 70-60 whipping of Lyceum.
Jam Cortez and Mark Cruz starred on Letran’s key third-quarter assault then Kevin Alas took over as the Knights marched on, going above the .500 mark in the leaderboard with a 4-3 (win-loss) record.
Though under the weather, Alas came through with a solid all-around game with 16 points, eight rebounds and five assists, leading the Knights to the victory that they dedicated to former Letran player Jomer Datang who passed away few days ago.
Cortez, Cruz and Jonathan Belorio also put up solid games for the Knights who dealt the Pirates their seventh loss against two wins.
“Kevin, Jam Cortes and Kevin Racal aren’t well but they want to help the team to make back-to-back-to-back. They just showed gallant effort,” said Letran coach Louie Alas.
Cortez and Belorio imposed their strength against the Lyceum’s small frontcourt, and the Knights sustained their streak even in the continued absence of regular starting center Raymond Almazan.
The Knights sat on a 58-47 cushion in the first three quarters where they dominated the boards, 39-23.
Cortez got away with 14 points, eight rebounds and one block while Belorio piled up seven points, 11 rebounds and five blocks in the rugged game marred by two unsportsmanlike fouls called on the Knights.
Recipient of those fouls, Vence Laure hit three of four charities touching off a 7-2 run that brought the Pirates back to life at 54-60.
The scores:
First Game
Letran 70 – K. Alas 16, Cortes 14, Cruz 1, Racal 7, Belorio 7, Luib 6, J. Alas 6, Pantin 2, Gabawan 1, Lituania 0.
Lyceum 60 – Cayabyab 16, Laude 11, Guevarra 10, Francisco 8, Zamora 7, Ko 6, Garcia 2, Ambohot 0, Alanes 0, Azores 0, Martinez 0.
Quarterscores: 19-19, 37-36, 58-47, 70-60
Second Game
San Beda 64 – Dela Cruz 13, J. Pascual 11, Caram 9, Adeogun 7, Amer 7, Dela Rosa 6, Lim 5, Mendoza 2, Ludovice 2, K. Pascual 2
Mapua 52 – G. Banal 10, Nimes 10, Parala 8, Ighalo 7, Stevens 7, Estrella 6, Saitanan 2, Chien 2, Brana 0, Cantos 0, J. Banal 0
Quarterscores: 17-18; 35-29; 49-45; 64-52