Baser Amer of San Beda was force to pass off a double defense put up by Dexter Zamora and Jeremial Taladua of LPU, at the San Juan arena. INQUIRER PHOTO/AUGUST DELA CRUZ
An afterthought on offense for most of his collegiate career, Anthony Semerad provided the scoring punch for San Beda when it mattered yesterday.
The Filipino-Australian forward shot 20 points as the Red Lions pummeled the Lyceum Pirates, 84-68, to grab the solo lead in the 90th NCAA basketball tournament at Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan.
Baser Amer and Kyle Pascual finished with 12 and 10 points, respectively, for the Red Lions, who also drew a solid outing from rookie Ranbill Tongco on their way to a third straight victory.
But it was Semerad’s breakout offensive game that keyed the Lions’ second-half surge and sent the Pirates reeling to a 1-2 card.
“I’m happy for Anthony because he really stepped up,” said coach Boyet Fernandez. Later, Letran, getting big games from Kevin Racal and Mark Cruz, finally barged into the win column with a 79-67 whipping of Mapua.
Racal knocked in 24 points while Cruz, who was used sparingly against Lyceum, bounced back with a 23-point effort that helped the Knights improved to 1-2.
After losing their first two games by a combined 68 points, the Cardinals once again lost by double figures.
The scores:
First Game
SAN BEDA 84—A. Semerad 20, Amer 12, Pascual 10, Mendoza 9, Adeogun 9, Tongco 8, Koga 7, D. Semerad 6, Sara 2, Sorela 1, Cabanag 0, Mocon 0, Abude 0.
LYCEUM 68—Zamora 14, Ko 13, Mbida 12, Bulawan 10, Gayabni 8, Maconocido 5, Lesmoras 2, Taladua 2, Elmejrab 0, Baltazar 0, Soliman 0.
Quarters: 14-18, 31-27, 53-43, 84-68
Second Game
LETRAN 79—Racal 24, Cruz 23, Nambatac 11, Ruaya 8, Publico 4, Castro 2, Saldua 2, Quinto 2, Gabawan 2, Dela Peña 1, Calvo 0, Tambeling 0, Luib 0, Apreku 0, Singontiko 0.
MAPUA 67—Saitanan 17, Cantos 12, Biteng 9, Eriobu 9, Canaynay 8, Estrella 4, Isit 2, Gabo 2, Tubiano 2, Serrano 2, Galoso 0.
Quarters: 16-15, 42-32, 64-52, 79-67