San Beda’s Michole Sorela and Yousef Taha of Mapua grapple for the ball during the NCAA game between the two schools held at the San Juan Arena on Wednesday, September 21, 2011. San Beda defeated Mapua, 76-59. INQUIRER PHOTO/Raffy Lerma
MANILA, Philippines—Raring for a bounce-back game, San Beda made sure that its next opponent would feel the wrath of the Lions.
San Beda did just that as they roared to a 76-59 win over the underachieving Mapua Cardinals Wednesday in the 87th NCAA men’s basketball tournament at the FilOil Flying V Arena in San Juan city.
“Napagbuhusan namin sila (Mapua) ng galit (We vented our ire on them),” said SBC coach Frankie Lim, whose squad absorbed a stunning setback last Wednesday to JRU, 65-76.
The defending champion Red Lions started slow before finding their groove as they established their biggest lead, 66-45, at the 8:04 mark of the fourth quarter.
MVP candidate Garvo Lanete was in his usual self with 20 points and five rebounds for the Red Lions, who are now assured of a Final Four spot as they improved to 11-2.
“The real aim is to make the finals and win the championship,” said Lim.
San Beda, despite missing its two key players in Sudan Daniel and Anthony Semerad, out-rebounded Mapua, 42-30.
“We’re back at our rebounding [ways],” said Lim.
“Almost all of the people are saying Su is not there but they’re forgetting the fact that Anthony is also out,” Lim added.
Filling the void were second-stringers Baser Amer and Mar Villahermosa, who contributed with 13 and 11 points respectively.
“After Garvo, I don’t have anyone else so I told them you have to step up,” said Lim. “Very good game by Mar (Villahermosa).”
The Cardinals ran out the gates to start the game, 8-0, but was held to just 10 second-quarter points while allowing the Lions to score 26.
Mapua, which blew a chance to claim solo fourth, came as close as nine, 40-49, courtesy of a booming triple by Allan Mangahas with 2:06 to go in the third period.
Mangahas finished with 19 points on top of four rebounds and three assists.
The second straight loss put Mapua in a three-way jam with JRU and Lyceum as the three teams own identical 6-9 slates.