The San Beda University Red Cubs kept their title retention bid alive after booting out San Sebastian College-Recoletos, 93-80, in their knockout playoff clash in the NCAA Season 98 juniors basketball tournament on Thursday.
With the win, San Beda completed the Final Four cast alongside top seed Colegio de San Juan de Letran, College of Saint Benilde-La Salle Green Hills, and Mapua University. San Sebastian, on the other hand, ended its campaign in fifth place.
Up by just four at the half, the Red Cubs stepped on the gas pedal in the second half after outscoring San Sebastian in the third frame, 23 to 16, with Chris Hubilla, Jharmaine Lecciones, and John Lopez leading the way.
But San Beda further created a gap in the payoff period as Lance Ronquillo drilled back-to-back triples to fuel an 11-2 run to open the fourth with Hubilla and Andrei Dungo providing the help, 79-59.
Rion Porcadas then answered with two consecutive three-pointers before Justine Bandino trimmed Staglets' deficit to just nine, 85-76, after he knocked down a triple of his own with 1:14 left.
But Hubilla came alive again, completing two three-point play opportunities as San Beda regained a double-digit lead, 93-80, despite another Bandino triple at the 32.7 mark of the game.
Hubilla finished with 21 points, 19 rebounds, four steals, and two assists while Lopez chipped in 19 markers, six boards, three dimes, and two steals. Dungo also registered a double-double outing with 10 points and 10 rebounds as Niño Mundas had 15 markers and seven boards.
San Beda will next face Mapua University on Monday in another playoff clash with the winner facing LSGH to determine the Final Four rankings.
The scores:
San Beda 93 - Hubilla 21, Lopez 19, Mundas 15, Dungo 10, Lecciones 9, Ronquillo 5, Lorenzo 4, Reyes 4, Ludovice 2, Canete 2, Wagan 2.
San Sebastian 80 - De Leon 23, Jardinico 11, Datario 10, Geronimo 9, Porcadas 8, Danag 7, Bandino 6, Balbao 6, Reyes 2, Parba 0, Bularin 0, Hernandez 0.
Quarters: 16-21, 45-41, 68-57, 93-80.
—JMB, GMA Integrated News
