Lions mangle Chiefs, keep solo lead
MANILA, Philippines—San Beda leaned on veterans Jake Pascual and Rome Dela Rosa to repulse Emilio Aguinaldo College, 92-69, Saturday night and keep top spot in the 88th NCAA basketball tournament at Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan.
Facing a squad that has already stunned Final Four contenders San Sebastian and Perpetual, Pascual and Dela Rosa made sure there was no upset this time as they fired 19 and 17 points respectively, for the Lions, who notched their 12th victory and secured at least a playoff for a Final Four berth.
Finishing the game with a flourish, Letran moved into solo fourth spot with a ninth victory in 15 games, after completing a season sweep of San Sebastian with an 82-67 triumph in the second game.
San Beda survived a flurry of triples by the Generals in the second quarter, before coming back strong in the last two periods to pin a ninth loss on EAC.
After going scoreless in two of the Lions’ last two games, Dela Rosa who has just recovered from a fractured nose bridge, went 7-of-10 from the field, while Pascual completed his all-around showing with 12 points and two blocks.
The vaunted San Beda attack also saw Art Dela Cruz and Ola Adeogun chip in 15 and 11, respectively. Eight players scored at least six points for the Lions, who still have four games remaining in their schedule.
“It was a good test for us,” said coach Ronnie Magsanoc. “Every game, the game plan of teams changes and we had to adjust to different defense so it’s always good preparation for the next game.”
Magsanoc was all praises for Dela Rosa and Pascual. “They don’t only give us points and the effort, but leadership,” said Magsanoc of his two veterans.
“When EAC made a run, it was good that they were on the floor to provide the stability our young team needs.”
The Lions was firing on all cylinders in the first period, where Dela Rosa, Pascual and Dela Cruz combined for 19 points.
But the Generals, who trailed by as large as 19 at 25-44, stayed within striking distance after Jan Jamon, John Monteclaro and Jolas Paguia accounted for an 8-of-11 shooting clip from beyond the arc in the first two quarters.
The Lions clamped down on the Generals’ shooters in the second half as Jamon was held scoreless the rest of the way, while the entire EAC team was limited to just 23 points in the last two quarters.
The scores:
First Game
SAN BEDA 92—J. Pascual 19, Dela Rosa 17, Dela Cruz 15, Adeogun 11, Amer 7, Lim 6, K. Pascual 6, Koga 6, Caram 3, Ludovice 2, Villaruz 0, Abarcar 0, Bonsubre 0.
EAC 69—Jamon 14, Paguia 13, Monteclaro 12, King 12, Happi 8, Munsayac 5, Morada 2, Tayongtong 2, Pillas 1, Yaya 0, Chiong 0, Mallari 0, Lumahan 0.
Quarters: 32-20, 56-46, 73-55, 92-69
Second Game:
LETRAN 82—K. Alas 23, Racal 18, Cruz 14, Cortes 10, Almazan 7, Lituania 6, Belorio 2, J. Alas 2, Luib 0, Gabriel 0.
SAN SEBASTIAN 67—Abueva 27, Sangalang 15, Miranda 9, Pascual 6, Gusi 4, Dela Cruz 3, Juico 2, Antipuesto 1, Rebullos 0. Binuya 0.
Quarters: 17-19, 34-35, 59-57, 82-67
