Defensive switch keys Lions’ repeat over Altas

MANILA, Philippines — San Beda made a crucial defensive switch in the second half and beat Perpetual Help, 75-62, yesterday to extend its amazing streak to 14 in the 95th NCAA basketball tournament at the Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan.

With their man-to-man defense in disarray, the Lions turned to zone that worked wonders as they moved within five wins of an outright finals entry.

“It was my fault, I was too stubborn to stick to one-on-one when it was obviously not working,” said San Beda coach Boyet Fernandez. “But we made the change to zone and it all hummed from there.”

Donald Tankoua powered his way to 17 points and 12 rebounds, Calvin Oftana had 17 points and nine boards and James Canlas had an all-around line of 16 points, eight caroms, four dimes and three steals for the San Beda team with a chance to nail a first perfect title run in nine years.

The last team to sweep its way to the crown was the San Beda team under coach Frankie Lim who is now with Perpetual Help.

Fernandez, however, insisted sweep is the farthest thing in their minds right now. “Again, our main focus is just to win as many games as we can, finish in the top two and get that twice-to-beat advantage,” he said.

In the first round, the Lions feasted on the Altas, pulling off a 102-56 massacre that led to Lim being asked by school management to go on temporary leave.

With another loss to the Lions, the Altas dropped to 3-9.

In the other game, Mapua sustained its hot run as it trounced Jose Rizal U, 72-67, to move to solo fifth with a 7-6 mark.

The Bombers skidded to 4-9.

The scores:

First Game

San Beda 75 – Oftana 17, Tankoua 17, Canlas 16, Doliguez 8, Soberano 8, Abuda 5, Nelle 4, Alfaro 0, Bahio 0, Cariño 0, Cuntapay 0, Etrata 0, Noah 0

Perpetual 62 – Aurin 13, Adamos 12, Razon 12, Peralta 11, Charcos 9, Martel 3, Labarda 2, Guissani 0, Lanoy 0

Quarterscores: 14-12; 31-33; 50-46; 75-62

Second Game

Mapua 72 – Victoria 13, Serrano 12, Buñag 11, Nieles 11, Gonzales 10, Bonifacio 8, Aguirre 3, Nocum 2, Salenga 2, Gamboa 0, Garcia 0, Jabel 0.

JRU 67 – Dionisio 15, Miranda 13, Amores 12, Aguilar 8, Dela Rosa 8, Delos Santos 5, Abaoag 2, Arenal 2, Jungco w, Macatangay 0, Vasquez 0.

Quarterscores: 12-15; 30-31; 48-39; 72-67