GO AHEAD. Robert Bolick give San Beda back the lead in the fourth quarter. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
San Beda moved closer to another Final Four berth after dispatching San Sebastian, 82-75, in the NCAA Season 94 men’s basketball tournament Thursday at Filoil Flying V Centre.
The Red Lions extended their winning streak to seven games and tied Lyceum atop the standings with a 13-1 record. They also clinched least a playoff for a Final Four berth.
San Beda’s victory, however, didn’t come in a cruise after the Stags suddenly turned into a threat early in the fourth quarter taking a 65-64.
That small buffer proved to be the Stags’ last saving grace after Robert Bolick scored five straight points to hand San Beda a 69-65 lead.
Javee Mocon then iced San Sebastian with two straight triples for the Red Lions’ 82-72 lead.
San Beda head coach Boyet Fernandez said they focused on making San Sebastian’s star trio of Allyn Bulanadi, RK Ilagan, and Michael Calisaan work for their shots.
Bulanadi and Ilagan still put up 23 and 20 points, respectively, but that came at the expense of high volume shooting as the two went a combined 14-of-29 from the field while Calisaan went 2-of-9 for seven points.
“I really salute San Sebastian because Bualanadi and Ilagan can shoot and also Calisaan did his job,” said Fernandez. “We really planned on those three guys and we wanted to limit them and play good defense against them.”
“We were there but they still made their shots and they made a good job adjusting to our defense.”
Mocon led the Red Lions’ hunt with 20 points, 11 rebounds, and four assists while Robert Bolick had 18 points and four dimes.
Donald Tankoua had his own double-double of 16 points and 14 rebounds for San Beda.