Dave Marcelo rescues San Beda Red Lions; Letran Knights score

Dave Marcelo shoots over Arellano's Gerald Lapuz in a game where San Beda dominated, 92-67. Photo by Ejay Amador

MANILA—Known more for his defensive tenacity, Dave Marcelo showcased another facet of his game when San Beda needed it most yesterday.

The 6-foot-5 Marcelo buried a short stab with 27 seconds remaining to help San Beda weather Mapua’s last-gasp rally for a 74-68 victory that preserved the Lions’ pristine record in the 87th NCAA men’s basketball tournament.

“It’s about time,” San Beda coach Frankie Lim said of the 2007 NCAA Rookie of the Year’s double-double effort of 13 points and 12 rebounds. “Dave played well, he battled three big men on the other end and he found a way to make that shot.”

The offense was going nowhere when Garvo Lanete slipped, but Marcelo, who had earlier scored on a putback for a 70-66 Lions lead with two minutes left, recovered the ball, faked Mark Sarangay before launching the decisive basket.

Earlier, Kevin Alas pumped in 24 points including a dagger of a trey with 26 seconds left of the overtime period as Letran outlasted Lyceum, 92-89.

Alas accounted for five of Letran’s 15 points in overtime, boosting the Knights to their fifth win in seven games.

The Pirates, who came back from 16 points down in the final period to force overtime, fell to 4-4.

As expected, Mapua’s big men caused all sorts of problems for San Beda, but the Lions showed plenty of resolve and seized control in the third period, where they held the Cardinals to just seven points.

“As far as I can remember, there wasn’t a time when we got beaten this badly on the boards,” said Lim, whose Lions extended their winning run to 25 games, dating back to the start of last season.

Often fielding a trio of centers in Yousef Taha, Mark Sarangay and Mike Parala, Mapua came away with a 22-rebound cushion against San Beda.

In juniors’ play, San Beda also claimed its seventh straight win after walloping Mapua, 72-56, while Letran overwhelmed Lyceum, 107-45.

The senior scores:
First Game
LETRAN 92—Ke. Alas 24, Cortes 14, Racal 13, Belorio 10, Espiritu 9, Cruz 7, Dysam 7, ALmazan 6, Mendoza 2, Lituania 0, Kr. Alas 0.
LYCEUM 89—Cayabyab 29, Guevarra 17, Santos 11, Laude 11, Napiza 8, Ko 6, Azores 5, Zamora 2, Lacap 2, Mallari 0, Lesmoras 0.
Quarters: 16-14, 40-35, 64-48, 77-77 (reg) 92-89
Second Game
SAN BEDA 74—Lanete 18, Caram 13, Marcelo 13, Dela Rosa 11, A. Semerad 8, D. Semerad 4, Amer 3, Lim 3, K. Pascual 1, Villahermosa 0, J. Pascual 0.
MAPUA 68—Mangahas 25, Parala 12, Sarangay 10, J. Pascual 5, Taha 4, Nimes 4, Ranises 3, Banal 3, Stevens 2, Ighalo 0.
Quarters: 20-17, 40-38, 56-47, 74-68