San Beda survives Perpetual

It wasn’t the type of performance San Beda coach Boyet Fernandez wanted from his team especially at this point of the season, but the Red Lions once again figured out a way to pull through against a team with little to lose.

The Red Lions ground out a 55-50 victory over the Perpetual Help Altas Tuesday to stay within the coattails of unbeaten Lyceum in NCAA Season 93 at Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan.

But the win left Fernandez concerned with the Lions, who he felt did not play up to their standards.

“Well, we’re happy we got this win, but we have to go back [to the gym] tomorrow (Wednesday) and maybe think of what our priorities are,” said Fernandez.

“We only had 11 assists, not San Beda basketball. Our defense really stepped up, but really, our offense is questionable. We just have to go back and review everything.”

Robert Bolick finished with 15 points while Donald Tankoua added 14 points for the Lions, who only had seven players in the scoring column—a far cry from the balanced offense the team is known for.

Nonetheless, the Lions raised their record to 14-1, a full game behind the Pirates. The Altas dropped out of the Final Four race with their 10th loss in 14 games.

Later, Jose Rizal U firmed up its hold of third spot with a 90-77 drubbing of St. Benilde, which is already out of the running for a postseason berth.

The Heavy Bombers shot 58 percent from the field, the highest in the league this season, as they rolled to a ninth victory against six defeats.

The win puts JRU in pole position to reach the next round in what is shaping up to be a three team race for the two remaining Final Four berths.

“This win gives us a good chance, but we still have to beat San Sebastian,” said JRU coach Vergel Meneses.