Lions, Chiefs gain F4; Altas in double OT

MANILA, Philippines - San Beda overpowered Lyceum of the Phl U, 89-73, to advance to the Final Four for the 11th straight time while Perpetual Help rallied then turned back Jose Rizal U, 89-80, in a double overtime thriller to zero in on the second semifinal berth in the 92nd NCAA men’s basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan City yesterday.

Arnaud Noah turned in a career-best 22 points while Fil-Am Davon Potts, Amiel Soberano and Jayvee Mocon backed him up with 19, 17 and 12 points, respectively, to power the Lions to their 12th win against four defeats for another Final Four stint.

“It’s good to be back in the Final Four but the job isn’t done yet,” said San Beda coach Jamike Jarin, whose Lions are also aiming for a twice-to-beat incentive in the next round.

Jio Jalalon came away with 22 points as Arellano U smothered defending champion Letran, 83-74, to keep the lead at 12-3 and join San Beda in the Final Four.

The Knights slid to 8-8 and will need to sweep their last two games to stay in the semis race.

The win made up for San Beda’s 88-97 defeat to JRU last Tuesday with Noah taking charge.

“I have to give him credit (Noah), he was trying to do everything in this game,” said Jarin.

The Pirates fell to 5-11.

Earlier, the Altas banked on Bright Akhuetie in the clutch to help repulse the Bombers and notch their 11th win against four defeats to assure them of at least a playoff for the last semis seat.

Akhuetie pumped in seven of his game-high 28 points in second overtime as the Altas, who battled back from seven down in the last 86 seconds in regulation, outlasted the Bombers.

“It was a team effort but I think Bright is the biggest hero today (yesterday),” said Perpetual mentor Jimwell Gican.

Gab Dagangon, Daryl Sinontiko and Genmar Ilagan contributed 15, 13 and 10 points, respectively, for the Las Piñas-based school.

JRU looked headed for the win after Teytey Teodoro buried a triple to give the Bombers a 64-57 lead late in regulation. 

But the Altas clamped down on defense, holding the Bombers scoreless while unleashing a 7-0 run capped by Ilagan’s triple in the last 23.5 seconds to force the first overtime.

Akhuetie also scored on a putback off his own miss with eight seconds left then watched Teodoro miss an off-balanced three-point attempt and Abdul Razak Abdul Wahab flubbed on his own putback try to send the match into second overtime.

Akhuetie then took it from there and forced the issue and dominated the lane.

Teodoro scored 23 points but was held to just two points in second OT that hastened the Bombers’ downfall. JRU fell to 9-7.

The scores:

First Game (srs)

UPHSD 89 – Akhuetie 28, Dagangon 15, Singontiko 13, Ilagan 10, Coronel 9, Pido 6,Sadiwa 4, Eze 4, Gallardo 0, Dizon 0.

JRU 80 – Teodoro 23, Grospe 15, Dela Virgen 13, Dela Paz 11, Abdulrazak 6, Pontejos 5, Cruz 4, Mendoza 3, Poutouochi 2, Lasquety 0, Astilla 0.

Quarterscores: 14-11, 27-28, 43-43, 64-64, 74-74, 89-80.

Second Game (srs)

SBC 89 – Noah 22, Potts 19, Soberano 17, Mocon 12, Sara 9, Adamos 6, Bolick 2, Optana 2, Presbitero 0, Tongco 0, Bahio 0, Bonsubre 0.

LPU 73 – Caduyac 27, Ayaay 17, Marata 11, Soliman 6, Nzeusseu 5, Alban 4, Baltazar 3, Gabayni 0, Alanes 0, Rubite 0, Soriano 0, Bulawan 0, Serafico 0.

Quarterscores: 21-14, 46-32, 64-55, 89-73

Third Game (srs)

Arellano U 83 – Jalalon 22, Salado 12, Gumaru 10, Cadavis 8, Holts 8, Nichols 8, Meca 7, Flores 6, Villoria 2, Aguilar 0, Enriquez 0, Gupilan 0

Letran 74 – Nambatac 28, Sollano 15, Quinto 10, Balanza 9, Calvo 7, Luib 3, Apreku 2, Ambohot 0, Balagasay 0, Bernabe 0, dela Pena 0

Quarterscores: 20-10; 45-30; 65-53; 83-74