SAN BEDA COLLEGE triggered a fiery second half assault to turn University of Perpetual Help’s championship dreams into rubbles, 78-63, and march to their 11th straight Finals appearance in the semifinals of the National Collegiate Athletic Association Season 92 on Tuesday at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
The Red Lions regained their composure in the final 20 minutes after a sluggish start to remain the undisputed contender for the title despite losing Game One against the resilient Altas squad. They will face Arellano on Thursday for a best-of-three championship series.
Davon Potts led San Beda with 16 points, including nine in the final frame, while Robert Bolick and Javee Mocon added 14 and 12 markers, respectively to help the Mendiola-based squad ignite a big second half push and shackle the Altas to a measly 29-percent shooting from the field.
San Beda erupted for a 22-10 output in the second period coming from an 8-0 rally before the half, and an even deadlier final quarter from the clutch shooting of Potts and Mocon to lead by as many as 20 with three minutes left in the game.
“We wanted to be in the Finals earlier. But Perpetual really gave it all,” Red Lions Head Coach Jamike Jarin said. “The boys played their hearts out. We shot the ball well and played solid defense all game-long.”
Perpetual was on its usual hot start, as Gab Dagangon and Genmar Ilagan combined for 10 points to pile a slim cushion of 20-15 in the first quarter.
But Bolick, who fired 17 points in the second period alone in Game One, sizzled once again with 10 markers to help San Beda regain their composure and lead, 37-30, at the half.
The Altas tried to crawl back to life with Dagangon’s basket slicing the deficit to 36-41 midway into the third canto, but the supporting cast of Benedict Adamos and AC Soberano provided the firepower needed to fend off the repeated rallies of Perpetual.
Dagangon had 16 points and 10 rebounds for the Altas, but got meager aid from his team as only Singontiko scored in double figures with 11 markers.
Perpetual failed to sustain the momentum they got by winning their first game, 87-83, last week. It marked the first time the Altas won a postseason game against the former five-peat titlist, but they fell short in the knockout match with the off-shooting night of big man Bright Akhuetie, who finished with eight points and 10 rebounds.
“Ganoon talaga. Mayroon talo, mayroon panalo. Pero magandang experience ito para samin. Next season hopefully mayroon nang improvement,” said Altas Head Coach Jimwell Gican, as his team absorbed another heartbreak from San Beda, losing another semifinal duel to the perennial contender rooting back from Season 88.
The Red Lions will have its hands full with a Finals showdown against the Chiefs. Arellano beat Mapùa, 92-80, last week to book their second Finals ticket in three seasons.
“It feels so great to win. We have to prepare for the Finals. Arellano will be a tough opponent,” Jarin noted.