INQUIRER Sports

MANILA, Philippines ? The San Beda Red Lions gathered in a circle near center court and put their arms on each other?s shoulder.

Their celebration after booking a return trip to the finals for the fourth straight year was subdued. They were reserving their energy for the bigger task ahead.

?We have an invitation party to attend to, to strike a fourth straight championship,? said San Beda coach Frankie Lim after the Lions weathered a late charge by Letran for an 82-76 decision on Friday in the semifinals of the NCAA basketball tournament at the FilOil Flying V Arena in San Juan.

The Lions? title opponents won?t be known until Monday, however, as last year?s losing finalist Jose Rizal U forced a sudden-death match against second seed San Sebastian with a 72-65 victory.

Cameroonian forward Nchotu Njei and Marvin Hayes made key baskets in the stretch to help the Bombers stay on course of ending a 37-year title drought.

?We?re very good when the spotlight is not on us,? said JRU coach Ariel Vanguardia.

Playing their third game in five days, the Lions struggled at the start before unleashing a strong finishing kick orchestrated by Borgie Hermida.

Hermida set up rookie Rome Dela Rosa for eight quick points early in the fourth period as the Lions roared ahead for good, 72-64, going into the last five minutes.

Recruited from California, the son of former PBA player Romeo Dela Rosa scored 12 of his 17 points in the final canto.

Letran rookie Kevin Alas hit 14 of his career-high 24 markers in the fourth period to move the Knights within 74-77.

The Knights stayed three points behind on Kirk Del Rosario?s layup with 58 seconds left, before Letran?s guns fell silent with Alas missing a potential game-tying triple with 15 seconds left.

The best of three finals will start on Thursday at the Araneta Coliseum.

The Red Cubs earlier put San Beda on track for a title double with a 90-76 win over the Jose Rizal Light Bombers.

Waiting for the Red Cubs in the best-of-three finals are the Letran Squires, who trounced the Staglets, 89-84, in the other Final Four showdown.

The varsity scores:

First Game
SAN BEDA 82?Dela Rosa 17, Lanete 17, Daniel 16, Pascual 12, Gamalinda 9, Marcelo 4, Tecson 3, Hermida 2, Caram 2, Tirona 0.

LETRAN 76?Ke. Alas 24, Jazul 15, Gutilban 15, Cortes 8, Foronda 5, Kr. Alas 5, del Rosario 4, Belencion 0, Datang 0.

Quarters: 18-19, 32-35, 58-53, 82-76

Second Game
JRU 72?Njei 15, Hayes 15, Sena 10, Cagoco 10, Wilson 6, Bulangis 6, Agas 5, Lopez 4, Etame 1.

SSC 65?Pascual 23, Abueva 13, del Rio 10, Semira 8, Najorda 6, Gatchalian 3, Bulawan 2, Sangalang 0.

Quarters: 15-15, 30-28, 46-45, 72-65