Lions defuse explosive Bombers, take solo lead

Games today

8 a.m. – Letran vs Lyceum (jrs)

10 a.m. – EAC vs St. Benilde (jrs)

12 noon  – Letran vs Lyceum (srs)

2 p.m. – EAC vs St. Benilde (srs)

4 p.m. – Perpetual Help vs. Arellano (srs)

6 p.m. – Perpetual Help vs Arellano (jrs)

MANILA, Philippines - Arthur dela Cruz posted his first triple-double while Ola Adeogun took charge in the fourth quarter as San Beda held off Jose Rizal U, 83-75, to regain the solo lead in the 91st NCAA men’s basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan City yesterday.

Skipper Baser Amer didn’t score in his return from an eight-game absence but provided the leadership and dished off five assists and snared four rebounds for the Red Lions, who moved past the Letran Knights again with a 10-2 card.

Dela Cruz, priming up for his PBA debut next month, fired 26 points, hauled down 15 rebounds while issuing 10 assists in a superb all-around game while Adeogun imposed his strength in the fourth to finish with 23 points and 12 rebounds.

Tey Teodoro actually came alive in the fourth after a scoreless first half stint, scattering nine of his 16 points, including eight straight he capped with a triple that shoved the Bombers to a 69-67 edge with 7:01 remaining in the contest.

But the Lions went to Adeogun inside down the stretch and the Nigerian behemoth responded with 11 points and crashed the boards with impunity as the defending five-peat champions closed out with a 16-6 run to clinch the win.

The Bombers fell to 6-5 for joint fifth with the Mapua Cardinals, who earlier blasted the San Sebastian Stags, 87-78, to bolster their semifinal bid after finishing deadlast the last two years.

Josan Nimes also returned for Mapua after missing three games due to a hamstring injury and drilled in 18 points, including eight in the last 10 minutes that quashed the Stags’ late rally.

“I’m glad to be back and be able to help the team,” said Nimes, also drafted 12th overall by Rain or Shine in the recent PBA draft.

Mark Brana also churned out his first double-double in the season, scoring 10 points and pulling down 10 rebounds, both season highs, to help the Cardinals.

The Stags dropped to 2-9 (win-loss) and closer to elimination.

In juniors’ action, the San Beda Cubs routed the Jose Rizal Light Bombers, 95-71 to extend their streak to 12 while the Robins smashed the Staglets, 86-64, to remain at No. 2 with a 10-1 slate.

The scores:

First Game

Mapua 87 – Nimes 18, Oraeme 11, Nieles 10, Menina 10, Brana 10, Biteng 9, Que 7, Aguiire 6, Serrano 4, Raflores 2, dela Rosa 0

San Sebastian 78 – Ortuoste 23, Costelo 15, Calisaan 13, David 10, Fabian 8, Guinto 7, Santos 2, Sibal 0, Pretta 0, Bulanadi 0, Vera 0

Quarterscores: 23-27; 45-43; 67-57; 87-78

Second Game

San Beda 83 – dela Cruz 26, Adeogun 23, Tankoua 10, Sara 8, Koga 5, Soberano 4, Tongco 3, Cabanag 2, Mocon 2, Amer 0, Bonsubre 0, Presbitero 0, Solera 0, Sedillo 0

Jose Rizal 75 – Pontejos 19, Teodoro 16, Grospe 10, Lasquety 7, Poutuouchi 6, Cruz 4, Abdul Wahab 4, dela Virgen 3, Sanchez 3, dela Paz 2, Astilla 1, Balagtas 0

Quarterscores: 21-16; 36-32; 64-60; 83-75