Red Lions survive Pirates, 87-80

Games Today (The Arena, San Juan) 12 p.m. - Perpetual vs Benilde 2 p.m. - Arellano vs Mapua 4 p.m. - Letran vs Jose Rizal

San Beda sure knows how to bounce back from a bitter defeat. Fresh off from stinging loss to fellow contender University of Perpetual Help, the Red Lions roared back with an 87-80 victory over a surprisingly hard-fighting Lyceum yesterday in the NCAA basketball tournament yesterday at The Arena in San Juan.

Not only did they bounce back from their loss to the Altas, the Lions also managed to tie rival Letran atop the standings as they improved to 11-3.

Determined to get back to their winning ways, the Red Lions came out of the gates firing and eventually took an 18-point lead, 49-31, at the break behind Art dela Cruz and Baser Amer.

But the Pirates started to get their act together as Wilson Baltazar and Joseph Gabayni rediscovered their form to make the game a little more interesting.

Twice the Pirates pulled within striking distance, cutting the San Beda lead to six, 56-50, near the end of the third and 69-62 early in the fourth.

But Dela Cruz and Radge Tongco had other plans as they combined for 17 points in the payoff period to hand Lyceum its 12th loss in 15 games.

“It’s nice that you can come from a heartbreaking loss and see your team perform at this level,” said San Beda head coach Jamike Jarin.

Dela Cruz had another monster game with 25 points, eight rebounds and four assists while Tongco chipped in 14 points.

Amer also had his best game since returning from a shoulder injury, posting12 points and five assists.

Baltazar had 28 points for the Pirates while Gabayni finished with 24 points and 11 boards.

Earlier, San Sebastian got a bit of redemption from last round’s shock defeat as it exacted payback against Emilio Aguinaldo College, 91-77, in a battle of also-ran teams.

The win allowed the Stags to arrest their three-game losing skid and avenge their 77-71 defeat at the hands of the Generals in the first round.

Ortuoste 24, Pretta 19, Bulanadi 17, Guinto 11, Costelo 7, Fabian 6, Bragais 3, Calisaan 2, Capobres 2, Sibal 0, Alvarez 0, Santos 0.

Munsayac 21, Hamadou 20, Onwubere 16, Mejos 8, Pascua 5, Bonleon 4, Diego 3, Pascual 0, General 0, Corilla 0, Estacio 0.

Quarters: 16-17; 51-35; 68-55; 91-77.

Dela Cruz 25, Tongco 14, Amer 12, Adeogun 11, Mocon 5, Sara 5, Soberano 4, Tankoua 4, Koga 2, Cabanag 2, Reyes 2, Sedillo 1, Bonsubre 0, Presbitero 0.

Baltazar 28, Gabayni 24, Alanes 8, Nguidjol 6, Taladua 4, Bulawan 4, Marata 3, Lacastesantos 3, Sunga 0, Malabanan 0, Soliman 0, Mbida 0, Ayaay 0.

Quarters: 17-15; 49-31; 67-58; 87-80.