San Beda turns back archrivals Letran in Filoil quarterfinals

Photo from Filoil Flying V Sports Facebook account.

Expect fireworks once NCAA’s most storied schools collide on the parquet floor.

San Beda Red Lions proved on Wednesday they are still the kings of the collegiate league as they put down Letran, 75-72, to advance to the semifinals of the Filoil Flying V Hanes Preseason Premier Cup at San Juan Arena.

Sitting on a 74-54 lead in the fourth quarter, the Red Lions were poised for a cruise until the Knights decided to go on 17-0 run to cut the lead to 74-71 with 46 seconds remaining.

Ranbil Tiongco split his chances on the charity stripe to give the Red Lions a two-possession lead, 75-71 with less than half-a-minute remaining.

Red Lions head coach Jamike Jarin then ordered his players to send a Knight to the foul line to prevent a three-pointer which put Letran’s most potent shooters to the stripe, Mark Cruz.

Cruz, however, could only split from the line and his last-second heave from beyond halfcourt went wide.

Jarin defended his stance of not using veterans Ola Adeogun and Art Dela Cruz which he said was a time for his younger players to play against the Red Lions’ archrivals.

“Nothing against Letran, but coming into the game, I wanted to give lots of exposure to my young guys,” Jarin said. “It’s a learning process.”

Donald Tankoua led San Beda with 12 points while Letran’s Cruz had a game-high 20.