Four Red Lions, led by James Canlas, scored in double digits as defending champion San Beda University outworked Mapua, 83-55, and had a date with history in the 95th National Collegiate Athletic Association men’s basketball tournament yesterday at the FilOil-Flying V Sports Center.
Canlas unloaded 16 points, while Calvin Oftana drilled in 15 for the Red Lions, who made their 16th straight triumph very meaningful as it surpassed their 15-game winning streak in Season 93.
Evan Nelle knocked in 14 points in helping the Red Lions move closer to another record, 18-game winning run, which they achieved when they claimed the crown in season 86.
“I’m giving the boys an extra bonus of two days’ rest. That’s what I promised them. The boys have rested and this was a killer week for them,” said Red Lions’ coach Boyet Fernandez, whose wards had successive matches against the San Sebastian Stags, the University of Perpetual Help Altas, the Letran Knights and the Mapua Cardinals in a week’s time.
AC Soberano provided 12 for the Red Lions, who got 16 points from Oftana’s 9 and Soberano’s 7 in the second period as they grabbed a 38-28 halftime spread.
Kim Aurin, hardly minding a cut he suffered in the right side of his forehead in the third period, scored a career-high 26 points and led the University of Perpetual Help Altas as they squeaked past the College of St. Benilde Blazers, 85-83.
Aurin’s jumper and two charities in the last 19.6 seconds gave the Altas enough cushion to survive a late charge by the Blazers, 85-80.
From there, the Altas went on to post their fourth win in 14 games to keep their Final Four chances alive.
Carlo Young knocked in 20 points for the Blazers, who dropped to sixth spot with their 6-8 win-loss record.
Despite being winless for six games, the Blazers are still in contention for a Final Four seat.
“Maganda ang nilaro ni Kim. Malaking bagay sa amin ito,” said Altas’ coach Frankie Lim after the Altas snapped a five-game losing skid.
In the junior division, Rhayyan Amsali scattered 30 points and 12 rebounds for the San Beda Red Cubs, who put the defending champion Malayan Red Robins out of contention, 91-82.
Justine Sanchez and Tony Ynot drilled in 15 and 12 points, respectively, to lead the Red Cubs to their 11th win in a row with their 15-1 record, assuring them of the no. 1 seeding in the Final Four.
Even though San Beda improved to 15-1, its remaining assignments in the elimination round no longer have any bearing as it is already locked into the top seed since its last outing.
Jonel Policarpio eked out 29 points and 11rebounds for the Red Robins, who took their fifth straight setback, and this gave them a 4-11 record.
La Salle Greenhills, behind RC Calimag with 24, pulled off an 81-71 smashing of the University of Perpetual Help Junior Altas to stay in the hunt for a semis berth at 8-6, a record which they share with the San Sebastian Staglets.