Lions, Stags continue to lead NCAA field
MANILA, Philippines—San Beda clinched a spot in the Final Four with five games to spare, even as San Sebastian held Jose Rizal U scoreless in the final seven minutes to hammer out a 64-59 victory Wednesday and keep second spot in the 86th NCAA basketball tournament at the FilOil Flying V Arena in San Juan.
The Lions drew strength from Sudan Daniel, who dished out his second triple-double of the season to power San Beda past Perpetual Help, 92-61.
The 6-foot-7 Daniel pumped in 10 points, grabbed 10 rebounds and blocked a career-high 12 shots as the Lions extended their unbeaten start to 11 games and became the first team to reach the semifinals.
“He’s playing a lot better than last year,” said San Beda coach Frankie Lim of his prized big man from California. “He’s been working really hard in practice.”
“I just wanted to protect the rim at all costs,” Daniel said.
Daniel’s sensational effort almost overshadowed the Stags’ ferocious rally that upended the Bombers in the second game.
Jonathan Semira and Ronald Pascual, returning after a one-game absence because of a flu, buried two triples each as San Sebastian came charging back from 13 points down in the final period.
San Sebastian coach Ato Agustin said the Stags’ resolute defense spelled the difference.
“We stopped their shooters, stayed patient,” said Agustin. “We always believed we could come back.”
Calvin Abueva shot 13 points and pulled down 18 rebounds, while Semira and Ian Sangalang added 10 points each for the Stags, who limited the Bombers to just four points the rest of the fourth period.
Nate Matute continued his brilliant shooting, hitting back-to-back treys to stake the Bombers to a 47-40 advantage in the third quarter.
The Bombers looked poised for an upset when Raycon Kabigting made a layup for a 57-44 lead with 9:14 remaining.
In junior action, San Beda dumped Perpetual Help, 84-66, to nail its 10th win in 11 outings while San Sebastian overcame Jose Rizal, 78-70, to join its victim at No. 4 with identical 6-4 slates. Photo by Mark Giongco
The senior scores:
First Game
SAN BEDA 92—Dela Rosa 20, Daniel 10, Hermida 8, Lim 8, Lanete 7, J. Pascual 7, D. Semerad 7, Caram 6, Mendoza 5, K. Pascual 5, Villahermosa 4, Sorela 4, Marcelo 1, A. Semerad 0, Moralde 0
PERPETUAL HELP 61—Danganan 16, Ynion 9, Vidal 8, Allen 8, Arboleda 6, Salvado 6, Alano 3, Elopre 2, Kintanar 2, Sumera 1, Asuncion 0, Jolangcob 0
Quarters: 25-20, 48-30, 67-44, 92-61
Second Game
SAN SEBASTIAN 64—Abueva 13, Semira 10, Sangalang 10, Bulawan 9, Pascual 9, Raymundo 5, del Rio 3, Maconocido 3, Gorospe 2, Gatchalian 0
JRU 59—Matute 12, Kabigting 10, Hayes 9, Bulangis 9, Etame 6, J. Lopez 5, Apinan 4, Montemayor 4, Almario 0, Njei 0
Quarters: 14-14, 32-34, 44-55, 64-59
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