San Beda seals No. 1 spot in NCAA

MANILA, Philippines – For the 8th straight year, San Beda College will finish the NCAA eliminations on top.

The Red Lions started on a blistering note and maintained composure down the stretch to destroy Arellano University, 78-62, in the final elimination game of NCAA Season 89 on Saturday, October 26, at the Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan City.

San Beda fired a blistering tear that transformed a slim 11-7 margin into a 40-19 bubble behind 15 points from Ola Adeogun and Anthony Semerad just before the first half buzzer sounded.

The Lions’ stinging defense made things worse for the struggling Arellano crew in the 3rd quarter, as they erected their biggest margin at 61-33, with Kyle Pascual and Rome Dela Rosa scoring 6 points each in that stretch.

The Chiefs, however, threatened to make it more respectable as Prince Caperal and Levi Hernandez teamed up for a 15-4 run early in the 4th period that brought the lead down to 15.

The Lions, though, were the hungrier team as Dela Rosa delivered the finishing blows, allowing the Red Lions to escape and seal the top spot after the elimination phase.

Big man Ola Adeogun led the Mendiola-based crew’s balanced attack with 11 points, while Rome Dela Rosa and Kyle Pascual added 10 points apiece for the Red Lions.

Prince Caperal carried the fight for the fallen Chiefs, scoring 23 markers and pulling down 11 boards for the Recto squad.

Always on top

San Beda will hold the top seed for the 8th straight time.

They have won 6 of the last 7 championships since 2006, losing only to the Abueva-powered San Sebastian Golden Stags in 2009.

Coach Boyet Fernandez’s crew will bring with them a twice-to-beat edge in the semifinals. They will face the loser of the San Sebastian-Perpetual playoff game on Tuesday, October 29.

The NCAA Final Four wars start on November 7 with the 3-time defending champions trying to roar their way to a 4th straight title. – Rappler.com