Lions out Eagles; Mbala a monster for Archers

Photo by Tristan Tamayo/ INQUIRER.net

San Beda dashed Ateneo’s hopes to advance with an 82-67 triumph as La Salle clinched the last quarterfinal berth with a 93-77 drubbing of Letran in the 11th Filoil Flying V Preseason Premier Cup Friday at Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan.

Robert Bolick unloaded 27 points, including two free throws with 58.4 ticks left that capped the Red Lions’ 11-2 outburst.

Javee Mocon and AC Soberano chipped in nine points apiece for the Lions, who swept the elimination round at 8-0.

“It’s really tough for Ateneo playing four games in five days,” said San Beda head coach Boyet Fernandez. “They were a bit tired.”

Unlike its fierce rival, defending champion La Salle got the job done against Letran behind Ben Mbala, who dominated the game with 45 points, 17 rebounds and four blocks.

Ricci Rivero also contributed 17 points, five boards and five steals in his full 40 minutes of action.

“Good game,” La Salle coach Aldin Ayo said of the Archers’ performance against his former champion team in the NCAA. He added that the tournament also serves as preparation for the Archers’ UAAP title defense.

La Salle, which finished with a 5-3 record, will take on Group A leader Far Eastern University next, while San Beda will face Group B’s fourth seed University of the Philippines in the quarterfinals starting Wednesday. —CARLO ANOLIN AND KRISTOFER PURNELL