San Beda escapes UP, faces Ateneo in PCCL finals

FILE – San Beda’s Calvin Oftana goes up for a shot during an NCAA game against University of Perpetual Help. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — San Beda University slipped past University of the Philippines, 65-63, in in the knockout semifinal of the Philippine Collegiate Champion League Saturday at Ynares Sports Center in Pasig.

Calvin Oftana and Ralph Penuela were brilliant once again, tallying 15 and 11 points, respectively, to propel the Red Lions into a finals showdown with four-time tournament winners Ateneo on Sunday.

“At least we passed this one. Hopefully, we could really play our usual game tomorrow,” said San Beda coach Boyet Fernandez, whose charges take on the Blue Eagles at 4 p.m. at the FilOil Flying-V Arena in San Juan.

“We still need to continue practicing. We’ve been off two to three weeks,” he added. “But the players really played good defense in the second half.”

Ricci Rivero scored nine of his 27 points in the payoff period to grease a spirited fightback by the Fighting Maroons and effectively fill the void left by injured stars Bright Akhuetie and Kobe Paras.

David Murrell chipped in 15, while CJ Catapusan six more points but couldn’t hit the most important basket as the game clock expired.

Catapusan, a former Adamson Falcon, muffed a 12-footer that would’ve sent the game into overtime.

UP will try to salvage a third-place finish when it battles University of the Visayas in the 2 p.m. clash on Sunday.

The Scores

SAN BEDA 65 – Oftana 16, Penuela 11, Canlas 9, Alfaro 9, Carino 9, Cuntapay 5, Bahio 4, Etrata 2, Abuda 0, Villejo 0, Ejercito 0, Visser 0

UP 63 – Rivero 27, Murrell 15, Catapusan 6, Gob 6, Spencer 4, Ramos 3, Gomez de Liano 2, Madrigal 0, Santiago 0

Quarterscores: 14-10, 25-30, 49-40, 65-63