Lions stretch unbeaten record

MANILA, Philippines — San Beda asserted its might on chief rival Lyceum of the Philippines University and hammered out an 88-73 victory yesterday to stay undefeated and on top in the 95th NCAA basketball tournament at the Flying V Centre in San Juan City.

Calvin Oftana led the way with game-highs 20 points and 12 rebounds while Cameroonian Donald Tankoua powered his way to 19 points as the Lions kept their stranglehold of the No. 1 spot by staying perfect in seven games.

LPU slipped to No. 3 with a 6-2 mark while allowing idle St. Benilde to zoom to No. 2 with a 5-1 slate.

San Sebastian survived the absence of coach Egay Macaraya and severe foul trouble by going to Allyn Bulanadi and Ken Villapando in overtime to turn back Letran, 102-101, and breathe life to its Final Four hopes .

The victory snapped a three-game skid while giving the Stags their third victory.

Bulanadi finished with 21 points while Villapando chipped in six, including a big shot in overtime.

Villapando took over after six of his teammates – RK Ilagan, Arjan dela Cruz, JM Calma, Alex Desoyo, Gelo Loristo and Anmar Cosari – all fouled out.

Perpetual bounced back from an embarrassing 102-56 rout at the hands of San Beda last Friday by edging Emilio Aguinaldo, 88-87, to improve to 3-5.

It was the first win for interim Altas coach Myk Saguiguit in the absence of Frankie Lim, who is on leave.

The scores:

First Game

San Sebastian 102 – Ilagan 22, Bulanadi 21, Capobres 19, Calahat 9, Dela Cruz 9, Calma 7, Villapando 6, Desoyo 4, Cosari 3, Tero 2, Altamirano 0, Sumoda 0, Loristo 0

Letran 101 – Muyang 32, Balanza 21, Yu 13, Caralipio 9, Batiller 7, Ular 6, Olivario 5, Reyson 4, Ambohot 3, Javillonar 1, Mina 0, Sangalang 0, Guarino 0

Quarterscores: 28-18; 46-36; 69-64; 91-91; 102-101 (OT)

Second Game

Perpetual 88 – Peralta 19, Egan 16, Aurin 14, Razon 12, Adamos 11, Charcos 6, Cuevas 4, Sevilla 3, Martel 3, Barasi 0, Tamayo 0

EAC 87 – Cadua 22, Taywan 21, Maguliano 15, Luciano 12, Mendoza 5, Gurtiza 4, Martin 3, Carlos 3, Dayrit 1, Tampoc 1, Estacio 0, Gonzales 0, De Guzman 0

Quarterscores: 25-14; 47-39; 68-63; 88-87

Third Game

San Beda 88 – Oftana 20, Tankoua 19, Doliguez 15, Nelle 14, Canlas 9, Bahio 8, Abuda 3, Alfaro 0, Cuntapay 0, Etrata 0, Cariño 0, Soberano 0.

LPU 73 – Nzeusseu 18, JC. Marcelino 13, David 10, Marcelino JV. 8, Santos 6, Ibañez 5, Navarro 4, Pretta 3, Caduyac 2, Tansingco 2, Valdez 2, Guinto 0.

Quarterscores: 29-17; 44-36; 61-58; 88-73