11 September 2018
By Maxine Louise Lagman
Manila, Philippines – Defending champions San Beda University thought they were going to have an easy win, but Colegio de San Juan de Letran was not an easy team to feat.
Luckily, San Beda managed to overcome a late run by archrival Letran to continue their winning ways in the NCAA Season 94 men’s basketball tournament, 74-68, Tuesday at the Filoil Flying V Center in San Juan.
The Mendiola-based squad started the game smoothly and denied Letran from taking the lead.
But San Beda might have been too comfortable with a comfortable 22-point cushion coming into the fourth, 67-45, as Letran orchestrated a late rally.
Bong Quinto and JP Calvo blew the Red Lions’ 22-point lead in the last six minutes of the game and with Robert Bolick fouled out in the last minute, the Knights cut the deficit to one, 68-69, 16.8 ticks to go.
Donald Tankoua led San Beda’s defense, while Jo Presbitero shot four consecutive freebies to seal the win as time ran out.
Tankoua paved the way for San Beda with 19 points and nine rebounds, while Bolick had 13 markers, five assists and three boards.
Javee Mocon added a double-double record of 12 points and 11 rebounds as San Beda strengthened their hold to the second spot with an 11-1 win-loss record.
On the other hand, Quinto had 19 points, five rebounds, four assists and three steals, while Calvo chipped in 16 markers, seven assists, five boards and two steals as Letran stays at fourth place with a 7-4 slate.
The Scores:
SAN BEDA 74 — Tankoua 19, Bolick 13, Mocon 12, Abuda 7, Doliguez 7, Oftana 4, Presbitero 4, Cuntapay 3, Nelle 3, Soberano 2, Cabanag 0, Canlas 0, Carino 0, Tongco 0.
LETRAN 68 — Quinto 19, Calvo 16, Muyang 11, Fajarito 10, Batiller 6, Ambohot 3, Taladua 3, Agbong 0, Balagasay 0, Celis 0, Galvelo 0, Mandreza 0, Yu 0.
QUARTER SCORES: 16-15, 35-32, 60-42, 74-68.
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