Defending champion San Beda set up a finals date with Ateneo in the Filoil Flying V Preseason Cup after outlasting St. Benilde, 78-71, Friday at the Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan.
Up by just three, 74–71, with 20.8 ticks left, the Red Lions made four crucial freebies down the stretch to seal the win against their vastly-improved NCAA foe.
“The boys did a good job today and hopefully we are going to be ready for Ateneo tomorrow,” San Beda head coach Boyet Fernandez said.
The battle between the UAAP and NCAA champions is on Saturday at 4 pm.
Up 54-53 entering fourth frame, San Beda unloaded a quick 12-5 spurt to build some cushion, 66-58, with 4:12 left.
With the Red Lions threatening to pull away, Blazers finished the third quarter on a 12-3 run to trim the gap.
Imports Donald Tankoua and Toba Eugene had 14 points apiece for San Beda, whichdominated the boards, 41-30.
Justin Gutang led the Blazers with 22 markers. Justin Robert Valencia