Bombers outpoint Chiefs in 3rd OT; Lions thump Stags, regain lead

Games today

12 noon – Lyceum vs St. Benilde (Jrs)

2:30 p.m. – Lyceum vs St. Benilde (Srs)

MANILA, Philippines - San Beda bounced back strong from a stinging setback to St. Benilde the last time out as it blasted San Sebastian, 75-56, then watched Jose Rizal U eke out a tough 99-98 triple overtime victory over Arellano U to regain the solo lead in the 90th NCAA men’s basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan City yesterday.

The Red Lions, their five-game run snapped by the resurgent Blazers, 67-73, last Monday, shackled the Stags’ gunners with their pressing defense in the first 10 minutes and held their long-time rivals to just seven points while pouring in 27 points of their own as they broke the game wide-open and stayed in control to improve to 6-1.

The Bombers, on the other hand, outlasted the Chiefs in a scrambling finish in the third extension to move to joint fourth with Lyceum at 4-3, enabling San Beda to wrest control again as Arellano dropped to second at 5-2.

Jaycee Asuncion, Michael Mabulac and Philip Paniamogan combined for 57 points while Ghanan Abdul Razak Abdul Wahab had career-high of 18 points and 21 rebounds to help lift the Bombers to the hard-earned victory.

The Chiefs flubbed chances to win outright in regulation and in the first two extensions, enabling the Bombers to steal the victory.

Earlier, Fil-Aussie Anthony Semerad uncorked a game-high 19 points while Arthur dela Cruz and rookie sensation Ranbill Tongco scattered 15 and 12 markers, respectively, for San Beda, which is seeking to become only the second team in league history to win five straight titles.

Nigerian Ola Adeogun dominated the paint with 12 points while anchoring San Beda’s defense with 16 rebounds and a season-high six shot blocks.

“I have to give credit to my players, they really wanted this win and bounce back from our loss,” said San Beda coach Boyet Fernandez.

The Stags fell to their fourth setback against three wins.

The scores:

First game

San Beda 75 – A. Semerad 19, Dela Cruz 14, Adeogun 12, Tongco 12, Koga 6, Mocon 4, Amer 3, Mendoza 3, Pascual 2, Cabañag 0, Sara 0, D. Semerad 0.

San Sebastian 56 – Perez 13, Guinto 10, Dela Cruz 7, Yong 6, Balucanag 4, Calisaan 4, Ortuoste 4, Camasura 3, Pretta 3, Fabian 2, Costelo 0, Aquino 0, Mercado 0.

Quarterscores: 27-7, 38-16, 59-36, 75-56

Second Game

JRU 99 – Asuncion 21, Mabulac 21, AbdulWahab 18, Paniamogan 15, Grospe 6, Teodoro 6, Benavides 6, Munez 4, Sanchez 2, Salaveria 0.

Arellano 98 – Holts 25, Jalalon 21, Hernandez 13, Pinto 8, Agovida 8, Bangga 6, Caperal 6, Nicholls 3, Gumaru 2, Enriquez 2, Ortega 2, Cadavis 2, Salcedo 0, Ciriacruz 0. 

Quarters: 8-12, 25-31, 43-51, 70-70 (Reg.), 79-79 (1OT), 85-85 (2OT), 99-98 (3OT)