NCAA: 6-man San Beda stuns Arellano

MANILA, Philippines—Six-man San Beda shocked Arellano, 81-71, Sunday in the men’s basketball tournament of the NCAA Season 88 at the FilOil Flying V Arena in San Juan.

Yvan Ludovice, who played all 40 minutes, and Arthur de la Cruz led the Red Lions with 18 points each.

“It was all about heart,” awed San Beda head coach Ronnie Magsanoc said. “It was a huge challenge that they were able to overcome.”

Nine of San Beda’s players were suspended due to an off-season incident.

The Red Lions trailed early in the game as the Chiefs shot lights out from three with 10-of-17 shooting in the first half.

Despite that, San Beda kept within striking distance and turned things around in the third quarter sparked by De la Cruz and timely baskets by Jon Villaruz for a 63-54 gap heading into the final period.

Arellano pulled to within five thrice after San Beda rolled to a 58-46 advantage on a Dave Moralde floater.

Francis Abarcar, whom Magsanoc revealed as only a late addition to the team, fired all of his points in the payoff period.

Rocky Acidre and Jon Pinto scored 16 points apiece for the Chiefs.

Arellano hit 10 triples in the first half but missed all of its 10 attempts in the second half.

San Beda pulled through even with just five players as lone big man Antonio Bonsubre fouled out with still 7:19 left in the fourth quarter.