THE DEFENDING champions San Beda Red Lions seized a share of the lead in the standings in the 89th NCAA men’s basketball tournament after they trounced the Jose Rizal University, 68-54, yesterday at the Arena in San Juan City.
Import Ola Adeogun led the way for the Red Lions with 20 points, 10 rebounds and two blocked shots.
The win was San Beda’s ninth in 11 games. The Red Lions are now tied for the top spot with the Letran Knights, who lost to Lyceum, 76-80, last week for their second loss.
San Beda was comfortably ahead, 54-36, heading to the fourth canto when the Bombers went on a 9-2 run capped by a basket by Marco Balagtas which trimmed the deficit to nine, 51-60, with under two minutes left.
Adeogun hit his freethrows while Baser Amer scored on a layup to seal the win for the Red Lions. /Correspondent Jonas Panerio