Ekwe-less Lions book last QF seat

NCAA champion San Beda overcame a sluggish game and bucked the absence of Nigerian behemoth Samuel Ekwe as it repulsed National University, 75-72, yesterday to clinch the last berth in the quarterfinal round of the Collegiate Champions League at the San Beda Gym.

Yousif Aljamal fired 12 points, including the go-ahead basket with 50.7 seconds to go, as the Red Lions arranged a quarterfinal clash with Viz-Min qualifier champion University of Visayas.

The 6-foot-8 Ekwe, who powered the Red Lions to their first NCAA victory in nearly three decades, actually suited up for the game but was not allowed to play because of a hyper-extended right knee he sustained during the NCAA Finals.

"We’re still sluggish because of the celebrations," said San Beda coach Koy Banal. "I was tempted to use him (Ekwe) but my trainer and the coaching staff told me not to."

Sweet shooting Jonathan Fernandez shot 18 points, including 12 from behind the arc, but the Bulldogs, one of the three wildcard entries here, wavered down the stretch.

Earlier, Philippine Christian U leaned on Jason Castro as it survived NAASCU champion AMA Computer U, 95-88, to set up a quarterfinal duel with University of the East on Friday at the Rizal Coliseum.

The prolific Castro came away with 21 points, including a pair of baskets in the stretch that sealed the victory for the Dolphins.

Beau Belga and Ian Garrido chipped in 16 and 12 points, respectively while combining for 22 rebounds.

"We were a bit sluggish because we practiced just yesterday (Monday)," said PCU coach Joel Dualan in Filipino. "But I told the players to just play defense and they did."

The Boni Garcia-mentored Titans battled back from nine-point deficits in the first half to seize a 45-41 lead at the break behind Chito Jaime’s explosion.

Belga, Garrido and Castro then connived in a series of runs in the third quarter to turn that deficit to a 71-61 advantage entering the final quarter.

Ateneo, Letran, Mapua, UE, Jose Rizal and University of Visayas already advanced to the next phase of this annual event staking P500,000 worth of scholarship grants and sports equipment to the champion.