San Beda’s AC Soberano. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
San Beda clinched the top seed for the 11th straight year after beating Arellano University, 80-73, in the NCAA Season 92 men’s basketball tournament Tuesday at Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan.
Red Lions guard AC Soberano had the hot hand as he torched the Chiefs with 26 points on 10-of-14 shooting from the field that went with six rebounds.
READ: Red Lions ready for any foe in NCAA Final 4
“This is good because you always want to go to the playoffs winning that gives you the momentum,” said San Beda head coach Jamike Jarin.
“But it doesn’t matter where you are right now, the most important game is on Friday.”
Robert Bolick and Benedict Adamos added 14 points each for San Beda, which improved to 3-0 against Arellano this season.
Soberano went 6-of-9 from long range with each of his 3-pointers coming so timely. His last triple pushed the Lions’ lead back to double-digits, 71-60, with 4:51 remaining.
READ: San Beda forces playoff for top seed, clips Arellano
“I was just really focused on the game,” Soberano said.
MVP frontrunner Jio Jalalon had one of his worst games this season as he was held to just 14 points on 4-of-17 shooting from the field and five assists with three turnovers.
The Chiefs’ superstar point guard also hurt his right foot near midway mark of the third quarter. Despite missing a chunk of minutes in the second half, Arellano trailed by just one, 60-59, after three quarters.
The game also set the Final Four match-ups with San Beda taking on No. 4 Perpetual Help and Arellano facing No. 3 Mapua.
The Scores
SAN BEDA 80 – Soberano 26, Bolick 14, Adamos 14, Sara 10, Mocon 6, Noah 5, Presbitero 3, Potts 2, Bonsubre 0, Tongco 0, Navarro 0, Oftana 0, Carlos 0
ARELLANO 73 – Jalalon 14, Salado 11, Gumaru 11, Villoria 10, Flores 6, Canete 6, Enriquez 5, Holts 3, Aguilar 3, Meca 2, Cadavis 2, Nicholls 0, Zamora 0, Gupilan 0
Quarters: 23-22, 38-35, 60-59, 80-73