Lions mangle lost Generals; Taha, Blazers ambush Knights

Art dela Cruz. File photo by Ryan Leagogo/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — Playing like a well-oiled machine in the second half, San Beda inflicted more misery on Emilio Aguinaldo College with an emphatic 81-55 victory Monday in the 90th NCAA basketball tournament at Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan.

The Red Lions unleashed their might in the third period to take the fight out of the erratic Generals and stretch their unbeaten start to five games.

Anthony Semerad finished with 16 points and six rebounds, while Art dela Cruz posted a double-double of 12 points and 11 boards for the Lions, who pulled away after the Generals closed in at 41-46 early in the third period.

“Credit to the boys for stepping up in the second half,” said San Beda coach Boyet Fernandez. “We gave up so many second-chance points in the first half.”

After barely surviving Arellano U the last time out, the Lions made sure there was little drama in the final period with an efficient game that saw them dish out 21 assists and commit just 11 turnovers—a far cry from their 26 errors in the game against the Chiefs.

Baser Amer delivered another solid all-around game with nine points and eight assists while Ola Adeogun, who just recovered from a flu, tallied 11 points and seven boards, winning his personal duel with Generals center Noube Happi, who was held to eight points.

The Generals shot a woeful 29 percent from the field and made just six of their 20 treys.

In the second game, Paolo Taha fired 24 points on 9-of-11 shooting as St. Benilde scored a breakthrough victory by crushing a listless Letran side, 85-71.

The Blazers improved to 1-3, while sending the Knights to their fourth loss in five games, their worst start since 2010 when they missed the Final Four.

Letran missed coach Caloy Garcia who was serving a one-game suspension for his ejection in the loss to Jose Rizal U.

The scores:

First Game

SAN BEDA 81—A. Semerad 16, Dela Cruz 12, Adeogun 11, Pascual 11, Amer 9, D. Semerad 7, Tongco 6, Mendoza 5, Koga 2, Sorela 2, Movon 1, Cabanag 0, Sara 0, Abude 0, Abatayo 0.

EAC 55—Serrano 12, King 10, Happi 8, Jamon 7, Onwubere 6, Tayongtong 5, Aguilar 4, Arquero 2, Menos 1, Santos 0, Saludo 0, Pascual 0.

Quarters: 19-11, 42-34, 60-45, 81-55

Second Game

ST. BENILDE 85—Taha 24, Romero 12, Grey 11, Saavedra 10, Nayve 8, Jonson 7, Bartolo 6, Altamirano 3, Pajarillaga 2, Sinco 2, Ongteco 0.

LETRAN 71—Cruz 16, Nambatac 10, Gabawan 10, Racal 10, Ruaya 9, Publico 6, Castro 5, Quinto 3, Luib 2, Calvo 0, Saldua 0, Tambeling 0, Singontiko 0.

Quarters: 15-15, 42-31, 65-51, 85-71