For coach Boyet Fernandez, the Letran Knights are a dangerous team.
That’s why the defending champion San Beda Red Lions took no chances and repulsed the Knights, 75-63, yesterday at the FilOil-Flying V Arena in what could be a preview of what’s to come in the Final Four semifinals of the 95th National Collegiate Athletic Association men’s basketball tournament.
The Red Lions took control midway in the third period and coasted to their 15th straight triumph.
Calvin Oftana took charge with 16 points, including two of three treys during a big scoring run in the third period.
Oftana’s triples came during a 20-0 run, which San Beda unleashed after the Knights tied the contest, 42-all behind an 8-0 blast with 6:21 left in the third quarter.
From that big spurt, the Red Lions went on to nurse a 62-42 spread when the fourth quarter got under way.
“It’s really the players who worked hard for this. Our defense really started to pop up after they had an 8-0 run in the start of the third,” said Fernandez.
Oftana made seven points in the second canto as San Beda took a 42-34 halftime edge, and the Red Lions scored a 21 points in the first 20 minutes out of a season-high 25 fastbreaks points.
With their victory, the Red Lions are three wins closer to an automatic finals slot, while the Knights, who drew 13 points from Larry Muyang, have already secured the third Final Four slot with their 9-6 slate.
The Red Lions, who got 13 points from Clint Doliguez, are five wins ahead of the Lyceum Pirates, who trail in second at 10-3. The Pirates are within range of the second twice-to-beat bonus.
Earlier, Jethro Mendoza shot 22 points to lead the Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals to an 80-76 win over the University of Perpetual Help Altas.
The Generals, with Kriss Gurtiza making 13 points, have improved on their performance last year with an 3-11 card.
In the junior division, Justine Sanchez and five other teammates scored in double digits as they powered the San Beda Red Cubs to a 108-80 crushing of the Letran Squires.
Sanchez struck with 16 points while Cyrus Llarena added 14 points for the Red Cubs, who hiked their record to 14-1 and remained on course for the top seeding in the Final Four.
“Sabi ko sa kanila, kahit sino ang team ang makaharap natin, there should be no time to relax,” said Red Cubs’ coach Manu Inigo, now that San Beda is six wins ahead of their closest pursuer, the Arellano Braves (8-6).
Adrian Balowa made 31 points in leading the EAC-ICA Brigadiers to a 90-86 triumph over the University of Perpetual Help Junior Altas to move up in the cellar at 2-12.