Ryusei Koga was key for the Red Lions down the stretch. Jeff Venancio
San Beda relied on a strong, bounce-back effort from Nigerian Ola Adeogun and a season-best performance by Ryusei Koga as it turned back a fiesty Mapua, 74-69, to remain on top in the 90th NCAA basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan City on Wednesday.
The 6-8 Adeogun imposed his might and finished with 19 points by making seven of his 11 shots and all his five free throws while adding 10 rebounds, three assists, two blocks and a steal to make up for lost time when he was benched in a 64-53 loss to Letran last week for missing practice.
Koga, for his part, came out with his best game of the season thus far and fired 17 points, including 12 in the second half when the Lions broke loose to seal their eighth win against two losses.
"We need Ola's inside presence, that's how important he is in our team," said San Beda coach Boyet Fernandez referring to Adeogun.
"I also have to give credit to Koga, he really played well for us," he added.
Playing rugged, the Cardinals were in it in the early goings as they muscled their way to an 18-17 lead after the opening quarter with Joseph Eriobu pouring eight of his game-high 22 points in the period.
Then Adeogun started to bully his way through and torched the Cardinals with 11 points in the second quarter when the Lions turned a one-point deficit to a 39-34 advantage at the break.
And then Koga took over from there as San Beda built enough cushion to soften the impact of a late fightback by Mapua.
The Cardinals fell to 1-8 (win-loss).
The Arellano assault proved too much for San Sebastian. Jeff Venancio
In the second game, Arellano relied on balanced scoring to defeat San Sebastian College in a 101-98 shootout.
Five different players scored in double-figures for the Chiefs, who tied San Beda for first place.
The scores:
San Beda 74- Adeogun 19, Koga 17, A. Semerad 8, Amer 6, Mendoza 6, dela Cruz 6, Cabanag 3, D. Semerad 3, Mocon 2, Sara 2, Pascual 2, Abude 0, Abatayo 0, Solera 0
Mapua 69- Eriobu 22, Isit 12, Cantos 12, Canaynay 7, Gabo 4, Layug 4, Estrella 4, Biteng 2, Saitanan 2, Villasenor 0
Quarters: 17-18; 39-34; 62-46; 74-69
Second Game
Arellano U 101- Jalalon 19, Agovida 16, Holts 15, Pinto 14, Enriquez 11, Hernandez 8, Nichols 6, Ciriacruz 4, Gumaru 2, Salcedo 2, Palma 2 Cadavis 2, Caperal 0
San Sebastian 98- Perez 23, Ortuoste 20, Guinto 18, Dela Cruz 15, Yong 12, Costelo 4, Balucanag 2, Calisaan 2, Pretta 2, Mercado 0
Quarters: 22-25; 44-56; 72-78; 101-98
