Javee Mocon for the layup. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
Not even a late spurt could upend San Beda as it held off Arellano, 91-81 on Friday to force a playoff for the top seed in the NCAA Season 92 men’s basketball tournament at Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan.
Javee Mocon and Davon Potts paired up in the clutch to help the Red Lions down the Chiefs and extend the eliminations to Tuesday, when the two teams, both carrying an identical 14-4 record, meet again to dispute the no. 1 seed in the Final 4.
Mocon scattered 19 points and 15 rebounds, while Potts added 18 markers and three boards in the victory.
The Red Lions were in control for the majority of the game, even holding a 16-point lead, 73-57, midway in the third quarter.
That was before Zach Nicholls got hot to start the fourth and Jiovani Jalalon and Kent Salado pulled the Chiefs within five, 81-76, with 5:02 remaining.
But Mocon and Potts imposed their will in the endgame, with Ben Adamos sealing the win for San Beda with a dunk in the waning seconds.
“Of course, we’ll play our hearts out every game. We don’t want to be unfair and we don’t want to disrespect the game,” said coach Jamike Jarin as he looks forward to Tuesday’s game.
AC Soberano went 4-of-7 from threes to wound up with 15 points, while Adamos had 12 markers an seven
rebounds for the Red Lions.
Jalalon topped Arellano with 14 points, eight rebounds, and eight assists, while Lervin Flores got a double-double in tune of his 13 markers and 14 boards.
Salado also poured 13 points, while Donald Gumaru got 11 for the Chiefs.
The Scores:
SAN BEDA 91 – Mocon 19, Potts 18, Soberano 15, Adamos 12, Bolick 7, Tongco 7, Sara 3, Noah 3, Presbitero 3, Oftana 2, Bahio 2, Bonsubre 0, Carlos 0, Navarro 0.
ARELLANO 81 – Jalalon 14, Salado 13, Flores 13, Gumaru 11, Nicholls 10, Meca 7, Cadavis 6, Enriquez 3, Holts 2, Canete 2, Villoria 0, Aguilar 0, Zamora 0.
Quarters: 27-24, 47-42, 75-62, 91-81.