ALFRED Aroga of National University tries to grab the ball from Letran’s Ford Ruaya. AUGUST DELA CRUZ
San Beda rallied from 10 points in the last three minutes while National University also came from behind as the Lions and the Bulldogs completed yesterday the Final Four cast of the Filoil Flying V Hanes Premier Cup at Filoil Flying V Arena.
Baser Amer knocked in all his eight points in San Beda’s blistering 13-0 windup as the Lions slipped past the La Salle Green Archers, 66-63, while Alfred Aroga completed a three-point play with 24.5 seconds left to lift the Bulldogs past the Letran Knights, 69-67.
“Baser played badly in the first three quarters, but when we needed him, he stepped up,” coach Boyet Fernandez said after his Lions rallied from a 53-63 deficit in the last 3:50 minutes of play.
Aroga’s heroics preserved another superb all-around show by Ray Parks, who paced the Bulldogs with 16 points on top of three rebounds, four assists and a couple of blocks.
“I like the poise of the boys in the end,” said NU coach Eric Altamirano. “We were behind most of the game, yet in the most important moment, they were able to deliver.”
The Bulldogs, who stayed unbeaten in nine games, will clash with the Lions in the knockout semifinals at 4 p.m. tomorrow. University of the East and University of Santo Tomas collide in the other pairing at 2 p.m.
Arthur dela Cruz posted a double-double of 14 points and 11 rebounds to lead the Lions, while Rome dela Rosa added 12.
Jeron Teng gave La Salle a 63-53 advantage with 3:50 minutes to go but San Beda mounted a rally with Amer firing six straight points in the final minute.
Aroga’s three-point play gave the Bulldogs the lead, 68-67, and a Gelo Alolino free throw made it 69-66 with 4.6 seconds left.
The Knights tried to forge overtime, but NUs Troy Rosario blocked Ford Ruaya’s attempt at the buzzer.
The scores:
First Game
NU 69—Parks 16, Alolino 13, Rosario 12, Aroga 9, Villamor 8, Roño 5, De Guzman 3, Mbe 2, Javillonar 1, Alejandro 0.
LETRAN 67—Cruz 16, Nambatac 11, Almazan 10, Gabawan 8, Castro 8, Ruaya 6, Luib 5, Dysam 3, Buenaflor 0, Publico 0, Po 0, Pantin 0.
Quarters: 19-22, 43-37, 56-58, 69-67
Second Game
SAN BEDA 66—Dela Cruz 14, Dela Rosa 12, Koga 11, Amer 8, Adeogun 7, Pascual 4, D. Semerad 4, Abarcar 2, Semerad 2, Sara 2, Villaruz 0.
LA SALLE 63—Vosotros 16, Teng 15, N. Torres 10, Van Opstal 10, Perkins 6, Revilla 3, T. Torres 2, G. Reyes 1, Bolick 0, Montalbo 0, M. Reyes 0, Dela Paz 0.
Quarters: 17-14, 33-26, 46-53, 66-63