San Beda University continued its dominance of Perpetual Help as it carved out an 80-72 win yesterday in a game that served as a preview of their Final Four showdown in the 94th NCAA basketball tournament at the Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan City.
Donald Tankoua and graduating guard Jeramer Cabanag conspired in a big fourth quarter run when the Lions outscored the Altas, 25-14, to seal their 11th straight victory and finished the elimination round with a 17-1 (win-loss) record for the No. 1 seed.
Tankoua and Cabanag each scored eight in that pivotal fourth quarter breakaway and finished with 23 and 16 points, respectively.
It was the second win by the Lions over the Altas following a 67-65 triumph in the season inaugurals on July 7 at the MOA Arena in Pasay City.
And San Beda and Perpetual Help, which wound up with an 11-7 card, will meet again on Friday at the start of their Final Four showdown at the Filoil Flying V Arena with the former needing just a win to advance to the best-of-three finale unfolding on Nov. 6 at the MOA Arena.
A deciding game, if necessary, is on Monday at the same venue.
Since it was their last game, San Beda coach Boyet Fernandez decided to start the graduating players in Cabanag, Robert Bolick, Javee Mocon, Ranbill Tongco and Jomari Presbitero.
“It’s seniors’ day for us,” said Fernandez.
Earlier, San Sebastian walloped Arellano U, 91-63, and ended the season with a 6-12 slate.
The Chiefs slipped to 5-13 mark.
The Scores:
First Game
San Sebastian 91—Calisaan 24, Ilagan 13, Bulanadi 11, Calma 9, Dela Cruz 9, Baytan 8, Valdez 4, Sumoda 4, Capobres 3, Are 3, Isidro 2, Desoyo 1, Villapando 0, Arciaga 0.
Arellano U 63—Alcoriza 17, Canete 10, Sera Josef 8, Alban 6, Dela Cruz 6, Concepcion 4, Bayla 4, Ongolo Ongolo 3, Dela Torre 3, Segura 2, Sacramento 0.
Quarterscores: 14-18; 49-30; 73-46; 91-63.
Second Game
San Beda 80—Tankoua 23, Cabanag 16, Bolick 12, Mocon 9, Presbitero 6, Canlas 6, Doliguez 2, Nelle 2, Oftana 2, Soberano 2, Abuda 0, Carino 0, Eugene 0, Tongco 0.
Perpetual Help 72—Aurin 18, Charcos 17, Eze 12, Coronel 9, Razon 8, Sese 5, Pasia 3, Cuevas 0, Mangalino 0, Pedrosa 0, Peralta 0, Tamayo 0, Jimenez 0.
Quartercores: 15-18; 38-30; 55-58; 80-72.