San Beda noses out CEU to meet La Salle in Filoil caging finale
MANILA, Philippines — San Beda squeaked past Centro Escolar University, 63-62, on Friday at the Arena in San Juan to set up a battle of champions in the Filoil Flying Hanes Premier Cup finals.
The NCAA lost their early lead and survived the pesky Scorpions, who inched to within a point in the last 75 seconds of the match but were unable to score in their last two possessions.
“I tip my hats off to CEU. They really played well. They’re a very a tough team. Very well coached,” said head coach Boyet Fernandez after a hard-fought victory.
Art Dela Cruz, who finished with 15 points, eight rebounds, and five assists, gave the Red Lions a 63-60 breather with 1:50 to play.
That was the last San Beda would score but it proved to be enough to fend off the CEU and face La Salle, which earlier eliminated Southwestern University.
“I told my players that defense will be a key factor in this game. We made stops and they were unable to score,” said Fernandez.
The Scorpions, who went undefeated in the tournament until Friday, tied the match at 58 but Ryusei Koga nailed a trey to give the Red Lions the lead, though slim, for good.
“I’m happy the way we played this game, I’m happy we’re back in the finals,” said Fernandez, whose squad is back in the pre-season finals for the first time since 2011.
Ola Adeogun led the Red Lions with 16 points, 13 rebounds, and four blocks though San Beda got beaten in rebounding, 41-44.
Against La Salle, San Beda’s bigs will figure prominently anew as they collide in the finals on Sunday, 4:30 p.m. also at the San Juan Arena.
“We’re happy we’re playing La Salle. It’s going to be a tough match-up. Hopefully we play like champions,” Fernandez said.
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