San Beda downs JRU, shares lead

NIGERIAN center Ola Adeogun continued his dominant play as San Beda overpowered Jose Rizal U, 68-54, last night to gain a piece of the lead in the 89th NCAA basketball at Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan.

Imposing his will inside the paint, Adeogun finished with 20 points on top of 10 rebounds as the Lions powered their way to a ninth victory in 11 games and tied the idle Letran Knights at the top.

Baser Amer shrugged off the effects of a flu to fire 15 points while dishing out four assists for the Lions, who held the Bombers to another horrible shooting night as in their first round duel.

The Lions never looked back after taking a 14-2 lead in the first period, but coach Boyet Fernandez expressed concern at the way San Beda finished the game.

“We have to take better care of the ball,” said Fernandez, whose squad committed 21 turnovers, including 11 in the second half. “But I have to give credit to my players. They stepped up against a tough team like JRU.”

The Bombers fell to 5-6 in a tie for fifth spot with St. Benilde and Emilio Aguinaldo College.

Later, San Sebastian got an unlikely lift from reserve center Ranimark Tano to repulse Arellano, 54-49, and grab solo fourth spot.

Thrust into the starting lineup after Bradwyn Guinto missed the game because of a flu, the 6-foot-5 Tano made the most out of his chance, pumping in 11 points and grabbing 10 rebounds.

With their second straight victory, the Stags leapfrogged past the Bombers in the race for the last Final Four spot with a 6-5 card, while sending the Chiefs to their eighth loss in 11 games.

The Lions limited the Bombers to 29 percent shooting while going to Adeogun inside the paint. The Nigerian made seven of his 10 shots and hit six of nine foul shots aside from coming away with two blocks.

The scores:

First Game

SAN BEDA 68—Adeogun 20, Amer 15, Dela Rosa 11, A. Semerad 5, Dela Cruz 5, Koga 4, Mendoza 2, D. Semerad 2, Mendoza 2, Pascual 2, Ludovice 0, Sara 0.

JRU 54—Balagats 16, Paniamogan 14, Mabulac 6, Pontejos 5, Dela Paz 5, Abanto 4, Lasquety 2, Juanico 2, Salaveria 0, Gozum 0, Grospe 0, Sanchez 0, Benavides 0.

Quarters: 18-11, 35-21, 54-36, 68-54