San Beda didn’t need an eye-popping performance this time from Robert Bolick.
But the Red Lions proved dominant just the same as they pummeled the Arellano Chiefs, 90-52, on Thursday night to clinch a twice-to-beat bonus in the Final Four of the NCAA Season 94 basketball tournament.
Bolick, who exploded for 50 points the last time the two teams met last month, had 11 points this time, but the mercurial guard also dished out nine assists, opening up opportunities for teammates, particularly Jayvee Mocon, whose double-double of 24 points and 11 rebounds led the way for San Beda.
The Lions can lock up the top seeding if they sweep their next two games, which also include a duel with the dangerous Perpetual Help Altas, who nearly scored an upset in their first round meeting.
“We just have to use these last elimination round games to simulate the feel of the playoffs,” said San Beda coach Boyet Fernandez. “We have to treat these games seriously and get momentum heading into the Final Four.”
Mocon shared Fernandez’s sentiment: “We have to use this win as a springboard for the Lyceum game especially for our bench players.”
Lyceum also secured a twice-to-beat advantage in the playoffs after a 77-64 triumph over St. Benilde, which bowed out of contention for a Final Four spot after dropping to 8-8.
The Pirates’ victory automatically gave Perpetual Help the last spot in the Final Four.
The Pirates leaned on CJ Perez and Reymar Caduyac down the stretch to put away the Blazers.
Perez, who struggled against Letran on Tuesday, had 17 points, while Caduyac scored six of his 10 points in the final two minutes for the Pirates, who face the Lions in their final elimination round assignment next week.