Roaring Red Lions Dumps Perpetual

Now they're even.

The defending back-to-back NCAA champions, San Beda College Red Lions, avenged their first round setback against the University of Perpetual Help System-Dalta Altas with a 60-53 win, Saturday at the FilOil Flying V Arena, in the 88th season of the NCAA.

Despite already having clinched a Final Four seat, the win by San Beda sealed the top spot for them in the standings, and kept the Altas in a tie with the JRU Heavy Bombers at 10-7, both teams contesting the last Final Four berth.

Camerooninan center Ola Adeogun poured in 12 points and eight rebounds, while point guards Anjo Caram and Baser Amer chipped in 10 and seven points respectively to help San Beda improve their record to a league-leading 15-2.

"Every game is good preparation for the playoffs," said SBC head coach Ronnie Magsanoc, as his side avenged an 88-87 overtime loss in the first round.

"We have to prepare mentally, physically and get better as a team for the next coming days."

The Altas gave the Red Lions another fourth quarter scare. Entering the period down 13, a 9-0 run got them to within six points, 53-47. Later on in the period, four straight points by Jeorge Allen then made it 55-51, 2:22 left to play.

In response, Anjo Caram came to San Beda's rescue, dropping a triple that made it 58-51 with 1:55 left, and the Red Lions were able to maintain their seven-point buffer for the rest of the game.

The Altas have one more game left on their slate, versus the second-place San Sebastian College Stags on Thursday, October 4, while JRU closes out against the already eliminated from the Final Four EAC Generals on that same day.

The scores:

SBC 60 – Adeogun 12, Caram 10, Pascual K. 8, Amer 7, Pascual J. Dela Rosa 5, Dela Cruz 4, Lim 3, Villaruz 2, Ludovice 2

UPHSD 53 – Vidal 20, Allen 11, Babayemi7, Omorogbe 4, Thompson 4, Elopre 4, Arboleda 3

source: GMANews/Inboundpass