26 September 2019
Maxine Louise Lagman
MANILA, Philippines – San Beda University defeats University of Perpetual Help, 75-62, on Thursday to keep its perfect slate in the NCAA Season 95 men’s basketball tournament at the Filoil Flying V Center in San Juan.
Unlike its first round clash where the Red Lions demolished Altas with a big 46-point rout, 102-56, San Beda had a hard time shrugging off Altas and used a fourth quarter rally to pull away for their 14th straight win in the tournament.
“It’s not a 46-point win, but as long as we win, that’s all that matters for me, and we’ll just learn from this,” said San Beda head coach Boyet Fernandez post-game. “We stuck with our defense which is, I have so much pride with my players playing one-on-one against their players.”
The defending champs banked on a slim four-point advantage after three quarters, 50-46. But, San Beda finally got the break they needed in the fourth quarter after coach Boyet said they adjusted their game plan and strengthened their defense.
San Beda started a 9-0 run capped off by a triple from Calvin Oftana for a 59-46 lead. Perpetual tried to answer back with Kim Aurin pacing the team, but the Red Lions proved too strong to defeat.
Donald Tankoua and AC Soberano broke loose, adding baskets, three-pointers and drawing in some fouls until they led by as much as 19 points, 74-55, 65 seconds left on the game.
Oftana finished with 17 points and nine rebounds, while Tankoua had a 17-point, 12-rebound double-double on top of two blocks. James Canlas added 16 markers, eight boards and four assists in the win.
On the other hand, Aurin paced Altas with 13 points and nine rebounds, while Ben Adamos had a double-double record of 12 markers and 10 rebounds as they dropped to a 3-9 win-loss record in the tournament.
The Scores:
SBU 75 — Oftana 17, Tankoua 17, Canlas 16, Doliguez 8, Soberano 8, Abuda 5, Nelle 4, Alfaro 0, Bahio 0, Cariño 0, Cuntapay 0, Etrata 0, Noah 0.
UPHSD 62 — Aurin 13, Adamos 12, Razon 12, Peralta 11, Charcos 9, Martel 3, Labarda 2, Guissani 0, Lanoy 0.
Quarter scores: 14-12, 31-33, 50-46, 75-62.
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