NCAA 87: San Beda repeats win over Saint Benilde

Garvo Lanete scattered 17 of his game-high 25 points in the second half to lead defending champion San Beda to an 84-75 triumph over College of Saint Benilde Wednesday in 87th NCAA men's basketball tournament. San Beda coach Frankie Lim praised the all around game of Lanete, who also had six rebounds, two assists and two steals. The win also improved the Red Lions' chances of earning one of the two Final Four berths that enjoy a twice-to-beat advantage. San Beda now holds a 13-2 win-loss slate for a half-a-game lead over Letran's 12-3 mark. Lim said they are already looking forward to their last two games against Letran and San Sebastian in the final week of the elimination round. San Beda will still face guest team Lyceum on Friday. Big man Dave Marcelo, who helped Lanete in anchoring the Red Lions' second-quarter break away, finished with 18 points and 11 rebounds to go with his four block shots, two steals and one assist. But the Blazers, who suffered their 10th setback in 15 outings, put the game under protest. The Blazers argued on the referee's decision of not allowing Lastimosa back in the game after the sophomore guard was helped by their team physical therapist and utility personnel with two minutes and 47 seconds left in the fourth period. Lastimosa was accidentally poked by San Beda's Baser Amer, who tried to stop him while driving to the basket. NCAA rules state the team needs to replace an injured free throw shooter and the player can only be inserted back into the game after three minutes. NCAA commissioner Aric Del Rosario said that CSB's PT and utility should have informed the referees that they are going to enter the playing court to help Lastimosa. "But they just went in and that means they are going to replace Lastimosa." Lastimosa was actually on a roll before the incident and has scored CSB's last eight points to trim San Beda's 12-point lead to five, 72-67. Lastimosa paced the Blazers' losing cause with 15 points and three rebounds while Jonathan Grey and Luis Cinco scored 14 and 12 markers each. — JVP, GMA News