18 October 2018
By Maxine Louise Lagman
Manila, Philippines – Defending champion San Beda University clinched the top seed in the NCAA Season 94 men’s basketball tournament after surviving a late rally by Lyceum of the Philippines University to claim a 75-68 win on Thursday at the Filoil Flying V Center in San Juan.
The Red Lions improved to a 16-1 win-loss record for the top spot and hopes to keep their winning ways alive when they play against University of Perpetual Help as their last game in the elimination round of the tournament.
Robert Bolick was on fire as he shot six straight baskets, including a booming triple, in the first quarter to create a five-point cushion, 18-13.
San Beda got nowhere to turn but up as they dominated the game and stretched the lead to as high as 18 points and ended the third quarter with 59-46.
But things got messy for the Red Lions as CJ Perez orchestrated a 16-5 rally in the fourth quarter and slowly cut the lead to a single-digit. Mike Nzeusseu’s layup put Lyceum within five, 71-66.
However, a couple of ball mishandling a missed opportunities struck Lyceum as Bolick sealed the deal for San Beda with a couple of freebies as time ran out.
Bolick paved the way for San Beda with 18 points, five rebounds and two assists, while rookie James Canlas finished with his career-best 18 markers.
Donald Tankoua chipped in a double-double of 15 points and 14 rebounds, while Javee Mocon also had a 13-point 10-rebound double-double.
On the other hand, Mike Nzeusseu finished with 16 points, while Jaycee Marcelino added 14 markers and nine boards in the losing effort as Lyceum ended their elimination round with a 15-3 slate.
The Scores:
SAN BEDA 75 – Bolick 18, Canlas 18, Tankoua 15, Mocon 13, Oftana 3, Presbitero 2, Soberano 2, Nelle 2, Carino 2, Doliguez 0, Abuda 0, Eugene 0, Tongco 0, Cuntapay 0
LPU 68 – Nzeusseu 16, Marcelino JC 14, Ayaay 11, Perez 9, Pretta 6, Marcelino JV 4, Caduyac 2, Tansingco 2, Santos 2, Valdez 2, Ibanez 0, Serrano 0, Lumbao 0
Quarter scores: 18-13, 39-31, 59-46, 75-68
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