Red Lions roared to eighth straight, detonated Heavy Bombers

Garvo Lanete went sky-high in the fourth to lift San Beda past the sticky defense of the Jose Rizal Heavy Bombers, 77-69 yesterday in the 87th National Collegiate Athletic Association Basketball Tournament at the Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan.

Opening the third canto, Lanete knocked in back to back triples to give the Red Lions their biggest lead of nine, 46-37 with over six minutes remaining in the quarter.

With Jose Rizal threatening for a big turnaround, Nate Matute drilled in one from beyond the arc to push the Heavy Bombers within one, 50-51. Marcelo and co. answered back with a 9-0 blast, for another nine-point edge, 59-50.

The win enabled the Red Lions to tie last year's Finalist San Sebastian Stags with an 8-0 card, who earlier disposed the Mapua Cardinals, 71-66.

Lanete fired 23 markers with five dish-offs while Dave Marcelo added 13 and eight caroms.

With two consecutive triples from Matute with under eight minutes remaining in play, JRU mometarily grabbed the driver's seat, 60-59. After a split from Kyle Pascual that tied the knot at 60-all, John Villarias sank a long-two, 62-60 for JRU.

San Beda's Rome Dela Rosa tied the count at 62-all with two from the stripe off a foul from Carampil before San Beda took over the rest of the way.

JRU earlier enjoyed a 20-10 lead in the first period. The Heavy Bombers dropped their third consecutive defeat for a 2-5 card.

Jeckster Apinan led all scorers from Shaw with 16 points and 16 boards.

Box Scores:

San Beda (77) Lanete 23, Marcelo 13, Amer 9, Dela Rosa 8, K. PAscual 7, D. Semerad 5, Caram 4, Sorela 4, Villahermosa 4, A. Semerad 0, Lim 0.

JRu 69 -- Apinan 16, Villarias 13, Matute 11, Lopez 8, Mendoza 8, Montemayor 6, Almario 4, Carampil 2, Kabigting 0, Gaco 0, Monserat 0,
17-21, 40-35, 59-52, 77-69.

Mia Domingo, NCAA.org