San Beda gains share of NCAA lead

THE SAN BEDA Red Lions gained a share of the lead in the standings after they dominated the College of St. Benilde Blazers in the fourth period to win, 59-53, in the 88th NCAA basketball tournament yesterday at the Arena in San Juan City.

The win by the Red Lions allowed them to bounce back from their upset loss to the Perpetual Help Altas last week.

More importantly, it gave them a share of the lead with the Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers, the San Sebastian Stags and the Altas who all have similar 3-1 (win-loss) records.

The Blazers actually had the lead and the momentum as they took the lead, 43-41, at the end of the third period behind the scintillating play of star two-guard Carlo Lastimosa.

But the Red Lions displayed their championship poise and experience as they unleashed an 11-0 run that gave them back the advantage, 52-45.

Baser Amer started that run with a couple of steals that led to easy baskets while Anjo Caram and Kyle Pascual hit long jumpers in that sizzling stretch.

CSB last threatened at 51-54 after four straight points by Lastimosa that was capped off by a fastbreak basket with 1:26 left.

Jake Pascual grabbed an offensive rebound and put it back in to once again push San Beda’s  lead to five, 56-51. Caram and Rome dela Rosa then canned their freethrows down the stretch to seal the win.

Dela Rosa had a double-double performance of 11 points and 11 rebounds that ruined the 21-point performance of Lastimosa.

CSB’s last on-court win over San Beda came in 2005, 91-86. The Blazers were awarded a win in 2008 after San Beda’s then import Sam Ekwe wore the wrong uniform. /Correspondent Jonas Panerio