Red Lions outlast Knights in OT, keep unbeaten run

Games Tuesday(Filoil Flying V Center, San Juan)

10 a.m. – CSB vs EAC (jrs)

12 noon – UPHSD vs JRU (jrs)

2 p.m. – CSB vs EAC (srs)

4 p.m. – UPHSD vs JRU (srs)

MANILA, Philippines — San Beda relied on Robert Bolick’s heroics and a last-minute surprise performance by AC Soberano as it outlasted bitter rival Letran in overtime to eke out an 80-76 victory and remain undefeated in the 94th NCAA basketball tournament at the Filoil Flying V Center in San Juan.

Soberano rose to the occasion  and nailed two triples in extra time while Bolick had 20 points including two free throws late in OT to ice the game and help the Lions clinch their fifth straight win, behind only the Lyceum Pirates, who are unscathed in seven outings.

“He came in and helped us in this game even though he’s coming off an injury and he didn’t play that much in regulation,” said San Beda coach Boyet Fernandez of Soberano, who sprained an ankle two weeks ago.

The Knights fought their way back from double-digit deficits and even led, 69-67, with 3.8 seconds on a Jerrick Balanza put back off a JP Calvo miss.

But Bolick drove and fed Donald Tankoua for a reverse to knot the count, 69-all, and force extra time.

Earlier, Arellano U relied on a career 17-point performance by Fil-Am Maue Sera Josef as it repulsed Jose Rizal, 79-70, to snare its third win against the same number of losses.

The scores:

First Game

EAC 89 – Laminou 17, Garcia 14, Bautista 13, Natividad 12, Cadua 10, Tampoc 7, Neri 5, Gonzales 4, Diego 3, Mendoza 2, Robin 2, Maguliano 0, Bugarin 0

Mapua 85 – Lugo 24, Bonifacio 15, Victoria 11, Pelayo 11, Gamboa 8, Jabel 8, Biteng 4, Aguirre 2, Bunag 2, Serrano 0, Garcia 0

Quarterscores: 18-16; 33-39; 60-63; 89-85

Second Game

Arellano 79 – Sera Josef 17, Canete 15, Alban 14, Dela Cruz 14, Segura 10, Concepcion 6, Alcoriza 3, Bayla 0, Codinera 0, Dela Torre 0, Ongolo Ongolo 0, Sacramento 0, Santos 0, Villoria 0.

JRU 70 – Mendoza 23, David 9, Estrella 7, Bordon 6, Dela Virgen 6, Mallari 6, Esguerra 5, Silvarez 4, Miranda 2, Santos 2, Ramos 0.

Quarterscores: 12-16; 34-36; 54-50; 79-70

Third Game

San Beda 80 – Bolick 20, Doliguez 11, Tankoua 11, Mocon 7, Oftana 6, Soberano 6, Canlas 4, Nelle 4, Presbitero 4, Tongco 3, Abuda 2, Carino 2, Cuntapay 0.

Letran 76 – Quinto 21, Calvo 14, Ambohot 13, Balanza 11, Fajarito 10, Muyang 5, Taladua 2, Agbong 0, Balagasay 0, Batiller 0, Mandreza 0, Yu 0.

Quarterscores: 17-14; 35-29; 53-44; 69-69; (OT) 80-76