OLA Adeogun and Rome dela Rosa delivered down the stretch as San Beda nipped San Sebastian, 72-68, last night to move within a victory of clinching a twice-to-beat bonus in the Final Four of the 89th NCAA basketball tournament at Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan.
Rising to the challenge, the two combined for 21 points in the final period as the Lions completed a remarkable comeback from 15 points down in the last 10 minutes to fashion out their 13th win in 15 games.
Dela Rosa scored on a layup for the go-ahead basket with 56 seconds remaining, before Adeogun sealed the victory with two free throws with nine seconds left for the Lions, who snapped the Stags’ three-game winning streak.
Playing catch up for the entire game, the Lions opened the fourth quarter with a 15-2 tear to get back in the thick of the fight after trailing 46-61. San Beda outscored San Sebastian,
26-7, in the final period.
“They prepared well for us and I’m glad we pulled this one out,” said Dela Rosa, who finished with 18 points on 6-of-8 shooting.
Adeogun led all scorers with 26 points and also grabbed 17 boards.
Earlier, Lyceum brought down another powerhouse in Perpetual Help, 84-61, to keep its slim Final Four hopes alive.
The Pirates struck hard early then sustained their charge in the second half to post their most lopsided victory of the season while pinning a second straight loss on the Altas.
The loss foiled Perpetual Help’s march to the Final Four, although the Altas remain in a good position to secure a berth in the postseason for the second straight year with an 11-5 record.
“I think our defense caught them by surprise,” said Lyceum coach Bonnie Tan.
The scores:
First Game
LYCEUM 84—Francisco 18, Ko 17, Mbomiko 14, Baltazar 12, Zamora 10, Azores 8, Ambohot 3, Soliman 2, Mendoza 0, Lacastesantos 0, Taladua 0, Garcia 0.
PERPETUAL HELP 61—Thompson 16, Omorogbe 9, Arboleda 9, Ylagan 6, Dizon 4, Paulino 3, Baloria 3, Bitoy 3, Oliveria 2, Bantayan 2, Alano 2, Jolangcob 2, Elopre 0, Lucente 0.
Quarters: 23-7, 53-23, 75-41, 84-61
Second Game
SAN BEDA 72—Adeogun 26, Dela Rosa 18, Amer 12, Dela Cruz 6, Koga 5, Abarcar 2, Pascual 2, Sara 1, D. Semerad 0, A. Semerad 0, Mendoza 0, A. Semerad 0, Ludovice 0.
SAN SEBASTIAN 68—Ortuoste 15, Dela Cruz 9, De Vera 8, Perez 7, Gusi 6, Trinidad 6, Guinto 5, Aquino 4, Tano 4, Rebollos 3, Balucanag 1.
Quarters: 13-23, 29-37, 46-61, 72-68