Potts, Bolick keep Lions unbeaten; Knights triumph

Games Friday

(The Arena, San Juan City)

12 p.m. – EAC vs San Sebastian (Srs)

2 p.m. – Lyceum vs Perpetual (Srs)

4 p.m. – St. Benilde vs Arellano (Srs)

MANILA, Philippines – San Beda leaned on its fast-paced game early and then went to Davon Potts and Robert Bolick in the stretch as it turned back Mapua, 85-74,  Thursday to stretch its amazing streak to seven in the 92nd NCAA basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan City.

The sweet-shooting Potts fired 25 points, including a pair of triples in the fourth quarter, while Bolick made two key jumpers late and wound up with 10 points, 12 rebounds and eight assists as the Lions continued to stay unbeaten and on top.

"We knew they're going to come back strong, good thing the players kept their composure," said San Beda coach Jamike Jarin.

The Cardinals were led by reigning MVP Allwell Oraeme's 21 points and 20 rebounds but missed the services of team captain CJ Isit, who will be out for four weeks after injuring a finger in their last game.

The Lions led by as much as 20 points early with Potts doing the scoring and Bolick the facilitating but the Cardinals slowly but surely clawed their way back to cut it to just six points with less than two minutes to go.

But clutch shooting by Potts and Bolick quashed whatever fight was left with San Beda.

Earlier, defending champion Letran rode on the clutch effort of Rey Nambatac as it turned back Jose Rizal, 67-62, to jump to a share of second with Mapua on 5-2 (win-loss) records.

Nambatac uncorked a game-best 29 points including 15 in the fourth quarter as the Knights stole the win after trailing the whole game.

The win also soothed the pain of a 55-61 defeat to Perpetual Help (4-2) last week that halted Letran's four-game streak.

It was also in that game where Nambatac was held to just 19 points after exploding for a career-high 40 points the match before.

"He just carried us in this game," said Letran mentor Jeff Napa of Nambatac.

The Bombers, who led by as much as nine points, relied on Paolo Pontejos' season-best 27 points as they dictated the pace right from the onset despite top gun Tey Tey Teodoro tweaking his left ankle early in the game.

But Jose Rizal started to feel the absence of Teodoro, who returned in the game but was never the same after the sprain.

And Nambatac happened.

Jose Rizal fell to 2-4.

The scores

First Game (Srs)

LETRAN 67 – Nambatac 29, Quinto 12, Calvo 9, Ambohot 4, Balanza 4, Sollano 4, Luib 3, Bernabe 2, Apreku 0, Balagasay 0, Dela Peña 0, Pambid 0.

JRU 62 – Pontejos 27, Dela Virgen 9, Grospe 6, Lasquety 5, Mendoza 5, Teodoro 4, AbdulWahab 2, Poutouchi 2, Cruz 2, Astilla 0, Dela Paz 0.

Quarterscores: 10-12, 23-29, 44-45, 67-62.

Second Game

SAN BEDA 85 – Potts 25, Soberano 17, Mocon 14, Tankoua 11, Bolick 10, Alas 2, Noah 2, Presibitero 2, Tongco 2, Adamos 0, Bonsubre 0, Carlos 0, Navarro 0, Optana 0.

MAPUA 74 – Oraeme 21, Estrella 14, Serrano 9, Raflores 8, Menina 7, Aguirre 6, Bunag 5, Orquina 4, Biteng 0, Dela Rosa 0, Eriobu 0.

Quarters: 16-20, 45-35, 67-51, 85-74.