San Beda Survives CSB To Share Lead

Kyle Pascual delivered when it mattered most, as the reigning NCAA champions, the San Beda College Red Lions, defeated a vexatious College of St. Benilde Blazers, 59-53, to forge a four-way tie for number one in the standings, Monday at the FilOil Flying V Arena in San Juan, as the 88th NCAA seniors division basketball tournament continued.

Down by two points at the start of the fourth quarter, Kyle Pascual scored a bucket off a Rome Dela Rosa assist to cap an 11-0 run by the Red Lions, to post a 52-45 advantage headed into the final three minutes of the game.

“In the fourth quarter, the score was close and we decided to do everything we can,” said Pascual. “We tried to get as many defensive stops as we could and I was fortunate enough to score those baskets.”

Pascual finished with 12 points and seven rebounds, coming off a 25 point, eight rebound loss to the Perpetual Help Altas.

It was the 8th straight victory by the Red Lions against the Blazers since 2008.

Of Pascual, SBC mentor Ronnie Magsanoc said, “He and Jake Pascual controlled the rebounds and they provided the leadership.”

Dela Rosa had a double-double performance with 11 points and 11 rebounds, while Jake Pascual and Baser Amer had 10 points each for San Beda.

Trailing by as much as 14 points in the first half, CSB led for the first time late in the third, 41-40.

After a 45-41 lead by the Blazers at the 8:10 mark of the final period, courtesy of Carlo Lastimosa, the Red Lions regained the lead at 50-45 after Rome dela Rosa nailed a medium-range jumper from the left corner.

The Blazers managed to close the gap at 54-51 with less than two minutes left, but with CSB in the penalty, Anjo Caram and Dela Rosa calmly made 5-of-6 free throws to overcome their opponents' persistent ball pressure.

Lastimosa had 21 points for CSB, which sank below the .500 line at 2-3.

Both these teams will be in action again on Thursday, with San Beda first up at 4:00pm, when they match-up against Emilio Aguinaldo College. Unfortunately for the EAC Generals, the Red Lions will be at full strength, as they are expected to parade center Ola Adeogun after he served out a four-game suspension. CSB on the other hand draws the 6:00pm game, against another top-ranked team in the standings, the Perpetual Help Altas.

source: AMD, GMA News