Red Lions prove their might with 13-0 win-loss record

The league-leading Red Lions secured “Lucky 13” on Friday as they leaned on a strong start to demolish Arellano, 70-54, and moved three games from completing a perfect elimination round campaign in the 86th NCAA basketball tournament.

Most Valuable Player contender Sudan Daniel had 11 points, 12 rebounds and four blocks in just 22 minutes off the bench while Rome dela Rosa topscored with 17 points for San Beda to win a game that was halted momentarily after the venue lost power.

By then, it was 65-51 with less than three minutes to go and the game already in the bag for San Beda.

The Mendiola-based squad face a daunting task in their final three games. They will face Jose Rizal University on Monday, Letran on the 24th and San Sebastian on the final day of the eliminations on the 29th.

If the Red Lions win all the games, they will gain an outright finals berth then a stepladder phase will occur between the three remaining Final Four teams.

San Beda won despite the absence of Borgie Hermida, who was rested by Lim for the second straight game perhaps to allow the player to recover from the flu. Another key player, Jaypee Mendoza, did not suit up owing to a back problem.