San Beda books Final Four spot after rout of Lyceum

San Beda booked its 11th straight Final Four appearance after routing Lyceum, 89-73, in the NCAA Season 92 men’s basketball tournament Friday at Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan.

“It’s where we determine where we’ll end up in the playoffs,” coach Jamike Jarin said as his team improved to 12-4. “I’m just happy that we’re there, we just need to work a little harder and play a little harder.”

The win calmed the tides for the Red Lions, who have previously lost three of their last four games.

Cameroonian forward Arnaud Noah topped San Beda with a career-high 22 points on an 80-percent shooting from the field, while stopping the Lyceum fightback in the fourth.

Davon Potts added 19 points on a 8-of-13 shooting, while AC Soberano was perfect from three as he shot 5-of-5 to finish with 17 markers, as both ignited the team’s breakaway with 28 first half points.

Jarin is hopeful that this would turn the tides for San Beda, which is eyeing a great finish to the elimination round before the playoffs start.

“Like what we said, we just need to look forward and not backward anymore,” he said. “We just got our bearings together, we told ourselves there’s still a lot of game to be played.”

“Let’s just keep on pushing, keep on running, keep on reaching.”

Reymar Caduyac paced Lyceum (5-11) with 27 points, 12 coming in the fourth quarter, while MJ Ayaay had 17 markers and 12 boards.

The Scores:

SAN BEDA 89 – Noah 22, Potts 19, Soberano 17, Mocon 12, Sara 9, Adamos 6, Bolick 2, Optana 2, Presbitero 0, Tongco 0, Bahio 0, Bonsubre 0.
LYCEUM 73 – Caduyac 27, Ayaay 17, Marata 11, Soliman 6, Nzeusseu 5, Alban 4, Baltazar 3, Gabayni 0, Alanes 0, Rubite 0, Soriano 0, Bulawan 0, Serafico 0.

Quarters: 21-14, 46-32, 64-55, 89-73.