San Beda bags semis bonus

Defending champion San Beda reaffirmed its mastery over Arellano, hacking out an 83-72 win yesterday to clinch the second twice-to-beat semifinal incentive in the NCAA men’s basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan City.

Jeramer Cabanag produced a breakthrough performance as he led the Red Lions to their 12th straight win and 13th overall in 14 games and a repeat of their 95-70 win in the first round.

The hard-working Cabanag finished with 14 points while Javee Mocon and Robert Bolick chipped in 13 and 12 points, respectively.

The first incentive in the semis was already secured by the league-leading Lyceum as early as last week. The Pirates are now toting a 14-0 record.

Earlier, Mapua snapped an agonizing 11-game losing skid as the Cardinals turned back the College of St. Benilde Blazers, 79-69.

Already out of the Final Four race, the Cardinals showed steely resolve, coming through with big plays at the crunch to clinch their second victory in 14 games.

And Mapua legendary coach Atoy Co was again grinning from ear to ear after ending the school’s misery.

“We just kept on practicing. Laban lang ng laban,” said Co, whose last victory came at the expense of Letran, 78-75, last July 11 off a gamewinning basket from Andoy Estrella.

“I was able to prove na kahit 8 to 9 players lang meron ako, basta merong kumpiyansa at kondisyon, pwede pa rin kaming manalo,” Co added.

Trailing 69-67 in the last 3:23 of the game, Mapua held St. Benilde scoreless while draining 12 straight points – thanks to the gutsy effort of Laurenz Victoria.