REIGNING CHAMPIONS San Beda Red Lions had a scare in the second half but ultimately subdued the Perpetual Help Altas, 69-55, in the 87th NCAA basketball tournament at the Arena in San Juan City yesterday.
The Red Lions led by as many as 18, 37-19, but the Altas woke up and made a comeback with Jett Vidal canning a lay-up and a three-pointer that got the bottom-dwelling Altas within three, 44-47, with 1:56 left in the third period.
San Beda eventually got the lead to 13 with a 10-0 blast but the Altas were not yet done and climbed to within six, 53-59 with less than five minutes left in the game.
But the offense finally dried up as Perpetual scored just one more field goal from that point on, allowing the Red Lions pad their advantage all the way to the final score.
The two Pascuals of San Beda led the way, with Kyle coming off the bench to tally a double-double of 15 points and 10 rebounds, plus four blocks. Jake Pascual added 13 and eight boards./Correspondent Jonas Panerio