Art Dela Cruz. Photo by Tristan Rafael Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
Shaking off the stigma of a heartbreaking loss, San Beda went back to attack mode as it pounced on an unsuspecting Lyceum 87-80, in Season 91 NCAA Seniors Basketball Tournament Thursday at San Juan Arena.
With the win, the Red Lions tied archrivals Letran for the top seed with 11-3 win-loss records.
San Beda had the game firmly in their grasp with a 51-31 lead at the start of the third quarter as Dan Sara sailed in for a breakaway layup.
Lyceum, however, dogged its way for a possible comeback with 19-5 run to cut the lead to 56-50 midway through the penultimate quarter.
Art De La Cruz led San Beda with 25 points, eight rebounds, and three steals while Baser Amer had his best game since returning from injury with 12 points and five assists.
Red Lions head coach Jamike Jarin took responsibility for his team’s fluctuating lead as he used different combinations of fives to expose his players for the long haul of the playoffs.
“We had combinations of players where the guys are not used to playing their usual positions like a guard had to play as a power forward,” Jarin said. “I take responsibility for the loss of the lead.”
Jarin did use several lineups and even fielded an all-guard five late in the fourth quarter.
“It was both planned and to give exposure to the players, we were enjoying our pace, and we wanted to push the ball more and create turnovers.”
Despite pulling to within single dingits, 26 turnovers ultimately made it hard for the Pirates to recover.
Wilson Baltazar led the Pirates with 28 points while Joseph Gabayni had 24 points and 11 rebounds for Lyceum, which is already out of the final four running with a 3-12 record.