Amer takes charge as Lions ward off Stags

Games Wednesday

(The Arena, San Juan)

12 p.m. – Perpetual Help vs Letran (jrs/srs)

4 p.m. – Lyceum vs St. Benilde (srs/jrs)

MANILA, Philippines – Baser Amer took control in the fourth quarter as San Beda survived a late fightback by San Sebastian and eked out an 86-79 victory Monday to remain on top in the 90th NCAA basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan City.

Back with a vengeance after a subpar six-point effort in a 74-69 win over Mapua Wednesday, Amer poured in seven of his 15 points while setting up teammates in the fourth quarter to finish with a game-high 10 assists in helping the Lions quash the Stags' rally.

"My next was still sore last time, but I'm good now," said Amer in Filipino, referring to the minor neck injury he sustained in his team's 53-64 defeat to arch-rival Letran in the final game of the first round a couple of weeks ago.

Less than a week after a 19-point, 10-rebound effort, Nigerian behemoth Ola Adeogun was at it again as he finished with another double-double performance with 18 points and 15 boards.

Arthur dela Cruz, for his part, scattered 14 points, including six in the final period where he and Amer helped parry San Sebastian's repeated comebacks.

Kyle Pascual contributed 12 points, nine caroms and two steals, which came a day after he was tabbed by Kia Motors as its 24th overall pick in the 2014 PBA draft held at the Robinson's Place Manila.

Like Pascual, twins Anthony and David Semerad were also drafted with the former picked seventh overall by San Mig Coffee and the latter ninth by Barako Bull.

They weren't as inspired as Pascual though on the court as Anthony managed only eight points and David couldn't score a single point.

Still, their coach, Boyet Fernandez, was just happy they're playing in the PBA soon.

"I'm proud and happy for them," said Fernandez, himself a former player in the PBA where he spent most of his career.

San Sebastian, led by Bradwyn Guinto's 29 points and Jaymar Perez's 23, fell to their eighth defeat against three wins.

In juniors action, San Beda exacted revenge on San Sebastian with an emphatic 84-61 triumph that sealed it the solo lead.

Marc Diputado exploded with a career-high 31 points to lead the Cubs to their ninth win against two losses and avenge their painful 65-70 defeat to the Staglets in the first round on Aug. 1.

And San Beda, seeking a sixth straight high school championship, did it in the absence of veteran gunner Joshua Andrei Caracut, who is currently with Batang Gilas in the ongoing FIBA-Asia Under-18 Championship in Doha, Qatar.

The Staglets fell to 6-5.

The Scores:

First Game (jrs)

San Beda 84 – Diputado 31, Decapia 10, Framil 10, Alas 7, Furaque 6, Abuhijle 6, Alfaro 5, Bordeus 4, Gelalao 3, Abatayo 2, Apolto 0, Etrata 0, Zamora 0

San Sebastian 61- Magno 13, Navarro 10, Cruz 9, Ilagan 8, Bonleon 4, Paclarin 4, Malamug 4, Mercado 3, Alfaro 3, Sera Josef 2, Causon 1, Padigdig 0, Miasco 0, Bardaje 0, Ong 0

Quarterscores: 21-9; 48-30; 68-44; 84-61

Second Game (srs)

San Beda (86) – Adeogun 18, Amer 15, Dela Cruz 14, Pascual 12, A. Semerad 8, Koga 7, Mendoza 7, Cabanag 3, Mocon 2, Sara 0, Abude 0, D. Semerad 0.

San Sebastian (79) -- Guinto 29, Perez 23, Dela Cruz 11, Calisaan 5, Ortuoste 4, Yong 4, Camasura 3, Pretta 0, Aquino 0, Mercado 0.

Quarterscores: 15-15, 38-27, 65-52, 86-79.