Lions blast Bombers, close in on Pirates

MANILA, Philippines — San Beda overpowered a hapless Jose Rizal U side despite drawing just four points from Robert Bolick as Calvin Oftana and AC Soberano combined for 27 markers that gave the Lions a 77-40 romp over the Heavy Bombers in the NCAA men’s basketball tournament at the Filoil Flying V Center in San Juan yesterday.

Oftana fired a career-high 16 points on an efficient eight-of-nine shooting clip while Soberano drilled in three triples and finished with 11 points as the Lions didn’t rely much on Bolick and the other starters to book their eighth win against a loss, keeping the unbeaten Lyceum Pirates (9-0) within sight.

After posting a historic 50-point feat in a 98-79 rout of the Arellano U Chiefs last week, Bolick attempted just four shots and finished with just four points in 17 minutes of action, letting the rest of his teammates take the spotlight this time.

Oftana and Soberano took the cue and took charge in offense while the rest backed them up with a tough defense that held the Bombers to their season-worst output.

JRU fell to 2-7.

“I just want to give my other players opportunity to play,” said San Beda coach Boyet Fernandez.

Earlier, Arellano U battled back from 17 points down to turn back Perpetual Help, 76-72, to close out its first-round campaign at sixth place with a 4-5 (win-loss) slate.

Down, 17-34, in the second quarter, the Chiefs charged back at the resumption of play to wrest control then made key defensive stops in the stretch to complete the come-from-behind victory.

The Altas sorely missed injured Edgar Charcos and fell to their fourth defeat against five wins for fifth.

The scores:

First Game

Arellano U 76 – Villoria 15, Sera Josef 14, Dela Cruz 12, Concepcion 10, Canete 9, Alban 8, Dela Torre 6, Codinera 2, Alcoriza 0, Ongolo Ongolo 0, Sacramento 0, Santos 0, Segura 0.

Perpetual Help 72 – Eze 22, Coronel 12, Aurin 10, Peralta 10, Cuevas 8,Canoy 5, Razon 4, Pedrosa 1, Mangalino 0, Tamayo 0.

Quarterscores: 8-19; 28-38; 51-53; 76-72

Second Game

San Beda 77 — Oftana 16, Soberano 11, Mocon 9, Eugene 7, Carino 6, Tankoua 5, Abuda 4, Bolick 4, Cabanag 4, Nelle 4, Canlas 3, Cuntapay 2, Tongco 2, Doliguez 0, Presbitero 0.

JRU 40 — Bordon 9, Mendoza 7, Doromal 5, Esguerra 5, Silvarez 4, Mallari 3, Miranda 3, Dela Virgen 2, Padua 2, Aguilar 0, David 0, Dela Rosa 0, Ramos 0, Santos 0.

Quarterscores: 20-12; 40-25; 56-30; 77-40