MANILA, Philippines–San Beda overwhelmed Jose Rizal University, 78-46, yesterday to clinch a twice-to-beat semifinal incentive in the 86th NCAA basketball tournament at the FilOil Flying V Arena in San Juan.
The Lions gave the Bombers little breathing room, blowing them off the court with their fastbreak game in a mismatch that surprised even San Beda coach Frankie Lim.
“I didn’t expect a blowout,” said Lim, whose squad moved within two victories of a rare 16-game sweep that will reward the Lions an outright Finals spot.
“It’s quite an achievement to stop a good team like JRU. It was a well-played, well-executed game for us.”
Calvin Abueva notched his 11th double-double of the season with 27 points and 15 rebounds as San Sebastian also gained the other twice-to-beat bonus by trouncing Mapua, 85-76, in the second game.
With the third-running Bombers falling to their fourth loss in 15 games, the Stags locked up second place by improving to 13-1.
However, the Stags will lose the semifinal incentive in the event that San Beda sweeps the elimination round.
If that happens, the stepladder format will be applied, with the third- and fourth-ranked squad playing in a knockout match, and the winner facing the No. 2 team for the second Finals berth.
The Bombers hardly looked a Final Four-bound team, hitting just 15 of 66 shots as the Lions threw different defensive schemes that left the JRU gameplan in disarray.
The 32-point victory was the worst beating this season for the Bombers, who, two years ago, dragged the Lions into a winner-take-all Game 3 duel for the title.
While the Bombers bled for their points, the Lions scored with ease, getting 26 of their output from fastbreaks to improve their 10-point showing in a 70-54 win against Arellano.
“It says a lot of our direction and our system,” Lim said of their fine form.
Garvo Lanete starred for the Lions anew with 23 points, while Rome Dela Rosa and Borgie Hermida, returning after a two-game absence, contributed 13 and 10 points, respectively.
In junior play, San Beda, buoyed by another triple-double from Baser Amer, walloped Jose Rizal, 99-75, to clinch the top spot and the twice-to-beat advantage, while San Sebastian stopped Mapua, 73-69, to clinch a Final Four spot.
The senior scores:
First Game
SAN BEDA 78—Lanete 23, dela Rosa 13, Hermida 10, A. Semerad 9, J. Pascual 7, Daniel 6, Villahermosa 4, Marcelo 4, Caram 2, K. Pascual 0
JRU 46—Montemayor 8, Apinan 7, J. Lopez 6, Almario 6, Matute 5, Njei 3, Etame 3, Badua 3, Hayes 2, Kabigting 2, Bulangis 1, Duncil 0, Dizon 0, M. Lopez 0.
Quarters: 25-10, 39-28, 59-37, 78-46
Second Game
SAN SEBASTIAN 85—Abueva 27, Semira 16, Raymundo 12, Bulawan 12, del Rio 8, Gorospe 4, Sangalang 4, Najorda 2, Pascual 0, Maconocido 0, Gatchalian 0.
MAPUA 76—Mangahas 17, Sarangay 14, Pascual 12, Guillermo 10, Cornejo 0, Ighalo 6, Acosta 6, Banal 1.
Quarters: 23-17, 34-33, 55-50, 85-76
To get NCAA scores, text ON INQ SPORTS and send to 4467.