SBC Face Early Finalist JRU at Araneta
WITH newly-minted MVP Sam Ekwe riding on the bench, rookie slotman Jake Pascual joined forces with swingman Ogie Menor in San Beda's big quarter show to score a 60-53 win over Mapua and notcb its third straight finals appearance in the NCAA seniors basketball tournament yesterday at the Astrodome in Pasay City.
"Pascual was great, while Menor excels well in big games like this," said Red Lions coach Frankie Lim, who is eyeing his second NCAA crown.
The three-peat seeking San Beda will face early finalist Jose Rizal University in the best-of-three championship series which will start tomorrow at the Araneta Coliseum.
In his best game of the season, Pascual, a former Philippine Christian University high school standout scored 13 points and 13 rebounds.
Menor topscored for the Red Lions with 17 points while Borgie Hermida collected 14 points, five boards and three assists.
"Sinabi sa amin ni coach (Frankie Lim) na maging all-out na tayo. Gusto naming makabawi, we were lousy sa pagkatalo namin sa kanila (Cardinals) noong Biyernes," said Pascual, a former NCAA juniors MVP awardee.
After a strong 22-16 start, the Red Lions fell to 24-33 in the second quarter.
The Mendiola-based cagers rebounded with a 10-0 run with Pascual on helm to take a 34-33 lead with 7:01 in the third canto.
Mapua last tasted the lead, 41-36, after Neil Pascual scored underneath when San Beda, starring Pascual, Menor and Hermida unleashed 11 straight markers for a 47-41 spread with 8:40 remaining.
As the Cardinals moved closer to 46-47, Pascual banged in a short jumper followed by Menor's back-to-back baskets which gave the Red Lions a 53-46 advantage, with 4:01 left.
"I'm happy that we are back in the finals but the job is not done. We need to win two games (against the Heavy Bombers) to win the championship and we have to be stay focused and sharp," said Lim.
In their eliminations head-to-head, San Beda and Jose Rizal split their two outings.
In his last game for Mapua, pro-bound Kelvin dela Peña registered 12 points, six boards and three steals.
Scores:
San Beda (60) – Menor 17, Hermida 14, Pascual 13, Ekwe 9, Escobal 5, Gamalinda 2, Tirona 0, Marcelo 0.
Mapua (53) – Dela Peña 12, Pascual N. 11, Mangahas 8, Banal 7, Mazo 7, Sarangay 5, Pascual J. 3.
QS: 22-16; 28-33; 44-41; 60-53.
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