THE defending champions San Beda Red Lions eliminated the University of Perpetual Help Altas in Season 93 of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) with a 55-50 victory in midweek league action yesterday.
Needing to sweep the remainder of their assignments in the elimination round to stay in the hunt, the Altas had the death knell sounded for them as the Lions, already assured of a spot in the Final Four, showed little compassion and pounded on Perpetual Help, which saw its narrow path to the playoffs simply hard to overcome.
San Beda was challenged early on by the Altas but turned the heat on in the second period to create a separation it would not relinquish all the way to the end
The first quarter was a struggle for both teams offensively, with the score knotted at 11-all at the end of the frame.
In the next period, the Altas would make a 4-0 mini run to take the lead 15-11 with 6:36 remaining on the clock.
But the Lions roared back, turning things on the Altas in the next two minutes with an 11-0 blitz to take a 22-15 cushion en route to ending the opening fold holding a 27-19 advantage.
The Altas came out spirited to begin the third period, coming to within four points, 32-28, with under six minutes to go.
San Beda though would regain its footing, pulling away anew, 38-28, with four minutes remaining, led by Robert Bolick and AC Soberano.
It went on to finish the third canto ahead, 43-34.
AJ Coronel and Keith Pido led a ferocious run for Perpetual Help in the payoff quarter, trimming their deficit to just five points, 49-44, with four minutes remaining.
Back-to-back baskets from Donald Tankoua after gave the Lions more distance.
Perpetual Help made one more run as Flash Sadiwa had an and-one that put his team to within four points, 53-49, with less than a minute remaining.
That was the closest the Altas would get, however, as the Lions went on to claim the win.
Bolick led San Beda with 15 points, five rebounds and two assists while Tankoua had 14 points and nine rebounds.
Soberano finished with nine points and Javee Mocon eight for the Lions, who improved to 14-1, a close second to league-leading Lyceum Pirates (15-0), and have won 13 straight games.
Coronel, Pido and Gab Dagangon each had nine points for Perpetual Help, which dropped to 4-10 and out of the running despite having four games left in its schedule.
While they got the win, San Beda coach Boyet Fernandez still felt they could have done better and underscored the need for them to get better as the playoffs near.
“We’re happy with this win but we still need to work on some facets of our game. Defensively we played well but offensively we struggled. We have to review our offensive patterns,” said the coach. — Michael Angelo S. Murillo
