Filoil Flying V Sports Fcebook photo
MANILA, Philippines—Rome dela Rosa scored 18 points to help San Beda weather a late storm by Adamson to win, 75-68, Saturday in the Filoil Flying V Hanes Premier Cup at the Arena in San Juan.
The Red Lions, who secured the third spot heading into the quarterfinals, blew a 14-point lead but managed to hold on with dela Rosa and Ola Adeogun making clutch free throws in the final 22 seconds.
“Sabi lang ni coach, kailangan namin ma-improve iyong attitude namin and iyong chemistry namin,” said San Beda point guard Baser Amer.
“Kinausap ko si Ola (Adeogun) sabi ko lang sa kanya ‘wag siya manggigil kasi nawawala iyong laro niya.”
Adeogun anchored a 19-2 charge along with dela Rosa and Amer as San Beda turned a 33-41 deficit to a 52-43 lead in the third quarter.
The Falcons, who settled for the fourth spot, came back from an early 10-point lead and rallied again down the stretch – pulling to within three, 68-71, on a three-point play by Jericho Cruz with 15.2 seconds left before Adeogun made his freebies to seal the game.
San Beda and Adamson’s quarterfinals opponents are yet to be determined and will depend on the result of the Ateneo-De La Salle game, with the winner claiming the top spot in Group B.