Lions repel Chiefs, seal title duel vs Archers

MANILA, Philippines - Baser Amer erupted for 16 points in the second half as San Beda came from behind to beat Arellano U, 87-68, and seal a title showdown with La Salle in the Philippine Collegiate Champions League at the Ynares gym in Pasig City yesterday.

Held scoreless in the first 20 minutes of play, Amer took charge and knocked down perimeter and long jumpers in a big breakaway in the pivotal third period as the Red Lions outscored the Chiefs, 28-19, to wrest a 62-54 lead.

The Mendiola-based squad sustained their run in the fourth and turned what had been a tight contest into a runaway triumph, their third against a loss in the Elite Eight of the annual tournament featuring the country’s top colleges and universities.

San Beda actually ended up tied with Cebu’s University of San Carlos at second but the Lions took the second finals slot as they beat the USC Warriors, 85-75, in Cebu on Nov. 16.

La Salle clinched the first berth in the best-of-three title series last Monday when they beat Far Eastern U, 74-61, to complete its sweep of four games.

Game One is set at 4 p.m. tomorrow while Game Two is on Monday. A deciding Game Three, if necessary, will be played Tuesday.

Arthur dela Cruz had a solid, all-around effort with 20 points, 10 rebounds, four steals and three assists while Nigerian behemoth Ola Adeogun and Jaypee Mendoza chipped in 11 and 10, respectively.

The USC Warriors, meanwhile, will still fly to Manila to dispute third place against either fellow Cebu team University of Visayas or the winner in the National University-Far Eastern University duel being played at presstime.

“We came out aggressive in the second half,” said San Beda acting coach Adonies Tierra, raring to get back at La Salle, which beat them, 61-56, last Friday.

In the other game, FEU edged National U, 60-58, to tie University of Visayas at fourth with 2-2 cards.

But the Lancers finished with a superior quotient to gain a crack at third place against USC.