The Red Lions, with Robert Bolick and James Canlas each firing 18 points, took the no. 1 seed after posting their 16th win in the 17 games, with still a game left in the second round of the 94th National Collegiate Athletic Association men’s basketball tournament.
Coming back from 13 points down in the last period, the Pirates got a chance to trim San Beda’s lead when Mike Nzeusseu blocked Donald Tankoua and stole the ball.
But Tankoua, who had 15 points and 14 rebounds, got the ball back after Nzeusseu gave a quick pass to Reymar Caduyac. And the 6’6” Tankoua knocked down two charities with 43.2 seconds left off Caduyac’s foul, 75-66.
“We’re happy. At least we took the monkey off our back. Everybody’s been saying that we cannot beat Lyceum. And it’s really a good challenge. So, naging barometer namin iyung sinabi na iyun,” said Red Lions coach Boyet Fernandez.
Javee Mocon contributed his share with 13 points and 10 rebounds. Lyceum coach Topex Robinson said he was disappointed but promised that his team will bounce back.
“It’s going to be hard. But, I’m sure it’s going to be sweet. Every adversity we go through just builds us up. Every time we play San Beda, we just improve as team,” said Pirates coach Topex Robinson.
The 6’1” Bolick pushed the Red Lions in front by hitting eight points, including a triple in the last 23 ticks of the first period. The Mendiola dribblers moved ahead, 18-13.
Canlas pushed the Red Lions ahead by 11 points with his drive, 35-24 San Beda went on to take a, 39-31 halftime edge.
Lyceum faced a 20-point deficit in the closing minute of the third when Bolick canned in two charities to peg the count at 59-39.
The Red Lions, who face the University of Perpetual Help Altas in the Final Four, will have a preview of their coming encounter when they clash on Tuesday.
The Pirates, getting 16 points from Nzeusseu and 14 from Jaycee Marcelino, finished the eliminations with a 15-3 win-loss card.
In the junior division, a trio of young standouts showed the way as the San Beda Red Cubs repulsed the Lyceum Junior Pirates, 83-76, and picked up their 12th win in 17 games.
Art Oliva, Troy Valencia and Jade Talampas banged in 14 points for the Red Cubs, who picked up their second straight win and firmed up their hold for the no. 3 seed in the Final Four.
This kept the Red Cubs in top shape for their coming showdown with the defending champion La Salle Greenhills Greenies, which is the top seeded team in the Final Four.
“That’s our goal. To have momentum. We have not played since Tuesday,” said Red Cubs coach JB Sison.
The Red Cubs enter the Final Four with no twice-to-beat incentive for the first time in 10 years.
