Ola Adeogun (right). FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — NCAA champion San Beda let its frustrations out on Southwestern University with a 77-49 win in the single round-robin Final Four of the PCCL Tuesday at the Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan.
Nigerian center Ola Adeogun scored 22 points and hauled down 11 rebounds for the Red Lions after having just nine points in a 56-62 loss to the Far Eastern University Tamaraws Monday.
“Our game against FEU woke the team up,” said San Beda head coach Boyet Fernandez. “We really came out strong today, we started really good and our defense stepped up.”
“I’m happy that we came back. We really wanted to make a statement here today.”
The Red Lions raced to a 23-7 lead at the end of the first quarter and though the Cobras, who couldn’t follow up their stunning win over UAAP titlist De La Salle on Monday, showed signs of life early in the third quarter, a 24-7 run by the Lions to close the period ultimately sealed the deal.
Adeogun, who also made his mark at the defensive end with three blocks, had 10 points in the pivotal third quarter where San Beda took a 65-38 advantage.
Landry Sanjo had 13 points for Visayas champion SWU, which shocked La Salle, 68-58, in overtime, but the Cobras usual hitters Mark Tallo and Monbert Arong were held to only four points combined on two-of-11 shooting.
Arong, who had 17 points in his previous outing, scored just measly two points and had seven of his team’s 24 turnovers.
San Beda, which only had 11 turnovers and moved the ball well with 20 assists, pounced on SWU’s erratic play with 20 turnover points.
The Red Lions clash with the Green Archers next on Thursday in the last Final Four matchup that could likely determine which among the four teams will play in the Finals.
“I know it will be a different La Salle. We’ll be ready for them.”