Red Lions turn back Cards on Ola’s return

MANILA, Philippines - Nigerian Ola Adeogun dished out a double-double game in his return but San Beda needed to toughen up at endgame to beat a rugged Mapua side, 74-69, and stay at the helm at the start of the second round elims of the 90th NCAA men’s basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan yesterday.

Benched in his team’s 53-64 defeat to Letran last week for missing the Lions’ practice, the bull-strong Adeogun went on attack mode from the start and finished with 17 points and 10 rebounds to power the Red Lions to a league-best 8-2 (win-loss) record.

“I felt bad seeing my teammates lose to Letran last time and I couldn’t do anything about it. That’s why I made sure I can contribute on my return,” said Adeogun, who made seven of his 11 shots, hit all five free throws and had two rebounds.

Adeogun also got a solid back-up from Ryusei Koga, who drilled in 12 of his season-high 17 points in the second half where San Beda turned a single-digit lead into a 62-46 bulge at the end of the third period.

But the Cardinals kept on fighting back, threatening to within five down the stretch but ran out of time in the end and fell to 1-9.

Baser Amer bucked a sore neck he sustained in their matchup with the Knights and chipped in six points, two rebounds and an assist in 28 minutes for the Lions, who played without Ranbill Tongco.

The rookie guard was with the Batang Gilas team competing in the FIBA-Asia Under-18 Championship in Doha, Qatar.

The San Beda red Cubs, meanwhile, edged the Mapua Red Robins, 67-63, to seize the solo lead with an 8-2 record in junior play.

Marc Diputado, Alberto Bordeus and Evan Furaque led the Cubs with 15, 13 and 10 points, respectively, for the Red Cubs, who also played sans Joshua Andrei Caracut, who was also with the Batang Gilas.

Mapua fell to No. 4 with a 7-3 mark while idle Jose Rizal and Letran moved to joint second with 7-2 slates.

Arellano U rallied from 12 points down and turned back San Sebastian, 101-98, as the Chiefs remained tied with the Lions at the helm.

The Stags fell to 3-7.

The scores:

San Beda 74 – Adeogun 19, Koga 17, A. Semerad 8, Amer 6, Mendoza 6, Dela Cruz 6, Cabanag 3, D. Semerad 3, Mocon 2, Sara 2, Pascual 2, Abude 0, Abatayo 0, Solera 0

Mapua 69 – Eriobu 22, Isit 12, Cantos 12, Canaynay 7, Gabo 4, Layug 4, Estrella 4, Biteng 2, Saitanan 2, Villasenor 0

Quarterscores: 17-18; 39-34; 62-46; 74-69

Second Game

Arellano U 101 – Jalalon 19, Agovida 16, Holts 15, Pinto 14, Enriquez 11, Hernandez 8, Nichols 6,  Ciriacruz 4, Gumaru 2, Salcedo 2, Palma 2 Cadavis 2, Caperal 0

San Sebastian 98 – Perez 23, Ortuoste 20, Guinto 18, Dela Cruz 15, Yong 12, Costelo 4, Balucanag 2, Calisaan 2, Pretta 2, Mercado 0

Quarterscores: 22-25; 44-56; 72-78; 101-98