#FilOil2019: San Beda remain perfect after edging La Salle

SAN JUAN -- Defending NCAA champions San Beda keep their perfect record at the FilOil FlyingV Preseason Cup after edging gritty La Salle, 83-78 in the penultimate game of the Seniors division Friday afternoon at the Filoil FlyingV Centre.

The Red Lions leaned on the clutch heroics of James Canlas and Evan Nelle to win their fifth straight game, coming out victorious in a fourth-quarter shootout against the Green Archers.

After being held to just five points in the first three periods, Canlas roared with 15 in the pay-off period to finish with 20 and lead all scorers, while Evan Nelle backstopped his backcourt parther with 12.

Canlas broke the final deadlock at 73 in the final four minutes by scoring five straight points, and Nelle finished off the game with a booming triple with 1:06 left in the game.

Andrei Caracut had 14 for La Salle whose three-game winning streak snapped to fall to second at 4-2.

The scores:

San Beda 83 -- Canlas 20, Nelle 12, Noah 11, Doliguez 9, Tankoua 7, Oftana 5, Carino 4, Bahio 4, Etrata 3, Alfaro 3, Abuda 2, Penuela 2, Cuntapay 1, Soberano 0

La Salle 78 -- Caracut 14, Baltazar 13, Serrano 11, Bonggay 9, Capacio 8, Melecio 6, Cu 6, Lojera 5, Bartlett 3, Lim 3, David 0, Manuel 0, Escandor 0

Quarter scores: 19-20, 43-40, 57-61, 83-78

(photo by FilOil FlyingV Sports)