Calvin Oftana, Evan Nelle and Clint Doliguez provided big baskets during a crucial stretch in the fourth period, and the defending champion San Beda Red Lions went on to post a 73-59 swamping of the San Sebastian Stags.
Their huge effort in the final period sent the Red Lions to their fourth straight victory in the 95th National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) men’s basketball tournament at the Filoil-Flying V Sports Center in San Juan.
Nelle, a sophomore who came from the San Beda Red Cubs, in a game-high score of 14 points, the same output of Donald Tankoua and James Canlas.
Their contributions allowed the Red Lions to move ahead of the College of St. Benilde Blazers, who are behind at 3-0.
The 5’11” Nelle’s two triples in the last 36 seconds pushed the Red Lions to a 73-57 spread.
Oftana banged in only 10 points, and hit eight of it in the last canto. This included one of his two treys that found its mark with 3:40 left.
Oftana’s first trey, along with that of Doliguez, came during a decisive 10-0 blast that helped the Red Lions get past a 50-all deadlock.
The Stags, with Allyn Bulanadi leading with 15 points, dropped to fifth with a 2-2 win-loss slate.
Meanwhile, the Lyceum Pirates got big plays from returning player Mike Nzeusseu and Ralph Tansingco as they whipped the Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers, 95-75, to gain a share of second with the Letran Knights at 4-1.
Nzeusseu, back from a finger injury, had 13 points with Tansingco, who helped the Pirates in limiting the Heavy Bombers to eight points in the second canto, and in taking a 51-27 halftime spread.
In the junior side, Rhayyan Amsali towed the San Beda Red Cubs to their fourth straight triumph with their 89-73 smashing of the San Sebastian Staglets.
The JRU Light Bombers, with Conrad Famaranco leading with 15 points, came away with a 77-74 win over Lyceum Junior Pirates to improve at 4-2.
Amsali tallied 21 points, eight rebounds, three assists, and two steals for the Red Cubs, who remained in the solo lead, and as the only team with a clean record.
Yukien Andrada collected 14 points, seven rebounds, three blocks, and two assists for the Red Cubs, who widened a four-point edge in the third to 16 at endgame. The Junior Pirates missed a chance to force an overtime when Maclaude Guadana’s trey bounced off the rim. Peter Atencio