Games Friday (San Juan Arena)
8 a.m. — San Sebastian vs JRU (jrs)
10 a.m. –EAC-ICA vs Mapua (jrs)
12 nn –San Sebastian vs JRU (srs)
2 p.m. –EAC vs Mapua (srs)
4 p.m. –Perpetual Help vs Letran (srs)
6 p.m. –Perpetual Help vs Letran (jrs)
SAN Beda College Lions weathered Letran’s late rally to pull off a 77-73 victory yesterday and earn a twice-to-beat incentive in the Final Four of the 91st National Collegiate Athletic Association men’s basketball tournament at the San Juan Arena.
Olaide Adeogun drilled in 13 points and had 15 rebounds, including seven crucial points in the last period, as the Red Lions held their ground and finished the eliminations with a 13-5 record.
Earlier, the Knights, who were led by Rey Nambatac’s 16 markers, held San Beda scoreless in the last two minutes, as a trey from Jerrick Balanza, a putback from Felix Apreku, and a split charity from McJour Luib that had Letran coming to within 73-77, in the last 23.8 seconds.
Mark Cruz, however, missed a jumper, and Baser Amer blocked Rey Publico’s attempt from the three-point line put the game to bed in favor of the Red Lions.
The Knights dropped to second spot 12-5, and the result of their game with the University of Perpetual Help Altas on Friday, will determine their place in the Final Four.
Meanwhile, Arellano University Chiefs and Mapua turned back separate rivals yesterday to stay in the hunt for a spot in the Final Four.
Jiovani Jalalon scored 18 of a game-high 31 points in the final period to lead the Chiefs past the Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals, 98-90, even as the Cardinals, behind Darren Medina’s late heroics, downed the College of St. Benilde Blazers, 77-72.
The Chiefs finished the two-round eliminations with a 12-6 record to stay in contention for a Final Four berth, which remains a wide-open race among six contenders.