San Beda defeated San Sebastian behind their top point guard. KC Cruz
San Beda weathered San Sebastian's fourth quarter comeback as it pulled off an 86-79 victory to stay at the helm in the 90th NCAA basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan City on Monday.
Baser Amer took charge in the fourth quarter as he poured in seven of his 15 points while playing facilitator by dishing some of his game-high 10 assists in the period as the five-peat seeking Lions survived a late fightback by the Stags in snaring a league-best 9-2 (win-loss) record.
"We didn't play with enough intensity in the fourth quarter, good thing Baser (Amer) was there," said San Beda coach Boyet Fernandez.
Nigerian Ola Adeogun bulldozed his way to team-highs 18 points and 15 rebounds while Arthur dela Cruz scattered 14 points including six in the final canto.
A day after getting picked 24th by expansion team Kia Motors in the PBA rookie draft at Robinsons Place Mania, Kyle Pascual played inspired ball and finished with 12 points, nine boards and two steals.
Pascual was one of the players from the current San Beda roster that was drafted including the Semerad twins, Anthony and David, who were tabbed seventh overall by San Mig Coffee and 10th by Barako Bull, respectively.
The Semerads though didn't play as well as Pascual as Anthony managed eight points while David ending up zero.
Fernandez congratulated them though.
"I'm really proud of my guys. It goes to show that San Beda is one of the best basketball programs in the country today," he said.
Bradwyn Guinto and Jaymar Perez carried the fight for the Stags by churning out 29 and 23 points but had no answer to the Lions' balanced attack and fell to an eighth defeat against three wins.
Arellano stayed in step with San Beda at first place with a victory over Mapua. KC Cruz
In the second game, GlobalPort draftee Nard Pinto scored 25 points to lead Arellano to victory over Mapua.
The win put Arellano in a tie with San Beda for first place at 9-2.
The Scores:
First Game
San Beda (86) -- Adeogun 18, Amer 15, Dela cruz 14, Pascual 12, A. Semerad 8, Koga 7, Mendoza 7, Cabanag 3, Mocon 2, Sara 0, Abude 0, D. Semerad 0.
San Sebastian (79) -- Guinto 29, Perez 23, Dela Cruz 11, Calisaan 5, Ortuoste 4, Yong 4, Camasura 3, Pretta 0, Aquino 0, Mercado 0.
Quarters: 15-15, 38-27, 65-52, 86-79.
The Scores:
Arellano (82) -- Pinto 25, Jalalon 18, Holts 9, Ciriacruz 8, Enriquez 8, Agovida 7, Nicholls 5, Salcedo 2, Palma 0, Caperal 0, Ortega 0, Cadavis 0.
Mapua (79) -- Isit 21, Eriobu 19, Estrella 18, Gabo 8, Biteng 5, Cantos 4, Tubiano 2, Villasenor 2, Canaynay 0, Layug 0.
Quarters: 26-24, 38-40, 62-54, 82-79.
