26 October 2018
By Maxine Louise Lagman
Manila, Philippines – Defending champions San Beda University is back at the Finals after ousting University of Perpetual Help, 83-72, on Friday in the NCAA Season 94 men’s basketball tournament at the Filoil Flying V Center in San Juan.
The Red Lions cruised to their 13th consecutive NCAA Finals appearance and hope to keep their three-peat bid alive as they face Lyceum of the Philippines University for the second time.
The two teams kept a close range in the first half until San Beda came alive early on in the payoff period.
Along with veterans Robert Bolick, Javee Mocon and Donald Tankoua, AC Soberano and Jeramer Cabanag knocked down much-needed baskets to put San Beda ahead of Perpetual.
Soberano opened the fourth with back-to-back triples to San Beda’s lead to 11, 59-48. Cabanag followed this up with his mutiple shots that gave them a comfortable 12-point cushion, 68-56.
Perpetual tried to salvage what they can with a couple of freebies and cut the deficit to seven, 71-66.
But the Red Lions gave everything they had and roared their way towards victory as time ran out.
Bolick paved the way for San Beda with 23 points, six assists and four rebounds, while Mocon chipped in a 14-point, 15-rebound double-double.
Tankoua finished with another double-double of 13 markers and 18 rebounds.
On the other hand, Jielo Razon had 16 points and six boards, while Peralta added 16 points.
Prince Eze finished with 13 markers, 13 boards and four blocks in the losing effort.
The Scores:
San Beda 83 – Bolick 23, Mocon 14, Tankoua 13, Soberano 12, Cabanag 9, Eugene 5, Canlas 4, Presbitero 3, Oftana 0, Abuda 0, Doliguez 0, Nelle 0.
Perpetual 72 – Razon 16, Peralta 16, Eze 13, Charcos 12, Aurin 7, Coronel 5, Jimenez 3, Cuevas 0.
Quarters: 13-11, 27-24, 53-48, 83-72.
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