San Beda Moves Closer to Final Four With A Win Over Letran #NCAA90
By Jamil Buergo
September 13, 2014
San Juan – Displaying championship form against a team fighting for survival, the defending champions San Beda Red Lions disposed archrival Letran, 73-44, in the lone NCAA Season 90 seniors match at the Arena in San Juan.
The Red Lions showcased their defensive armor from the opening tip as they let Letran score the lowest output of any team this season and allowed them only to shoot a miserable 14 field goals on 70 attempts. The win enabled the Mendiola-based dribblers to inch closer to a sure Final Four slot with a 12-2 win-loss record.
The game was also marred by a controversial call on Kevin Racal, who made a three point basket only to be nullified by the ref who called an offensive foul. What could have been a four-point play turned into six points by San Beda as they were gifted four technical free throws on Racal and Coach Caloy Garcia’s resentment to the call and Adeogun’s free throws on the succeeding possession. From then on, San Beda never looked back as they continued to pounce on their opponent.
Coach Boyet Fernandez commended his players after the game as they responded to his challenge to avenge their loss to Letran in the first round. “I really appreciate the effort of the boys and they didn’t want to lose this game.” says Coach Boyet. “I told them at the half that Letran is a team capable of coming back from a big lead so stuck to our gameplan and we were able to make some stops.”
Arth Dela Cruz led San Beda with 17 points and six rebounds, while Ola Adeogun added 14 points and 10 rebounds. Mark Cruz had 10 points and was the lone double digit scorer for the Knights, which now is on the brink of missing the final four with a record of 6-8.
The scores:
SBC 73 – Dela Cruz 17, Adeogun 14, Pascual 11, Koga 6, Amer 6, Mendoza 6, Abude 4, D. Semerad 4, A. Semerad 2, Tongco 2, Mocon 1, Cabanag 0, Sara 0, Abatayo 0, Sorela 0
CSJL 44 – Cruz 10, Racal 8, Publico 7, Ruaya 4, Tambeling 4, Apreku 3, Quinto 3, Gabawan 3, Nambatac 2, Calvo 0, Castro 0, Saldua 0, Luib 0, Dela Pena 0, Singontiko 0
Quarterscores: 17-8, 37-18, 55-34, 73-44
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