San Beda Red Lions are headed to NCAA finals after sweeping elims

For the 14th season in a row, the San Beda Red Lions are headed to the NCAA finals.

This, after the Red Lions crushed would-be contenders Lyceum Pirates, 85-62, to complete an 18-0 sweep of the elimination round of the NCAA Season 95 men’s basketball tournament at the FilOil Flying V Centre in San Juan on Thursday.

This sweep marks the second time that San Beda has gone undefeated in the elims  since going 16-0 back in Season 86.

This development means that the Final 4 would be contested through stepladder format, with the fourth seed taking on third-seeded Colegio de San Juan de Letran. The winner of that match then moves on to play the second-seeded Pirates in a knockout game.

The Red Lions roared in the second period where they uncorked a 28-16 blast to bring a 48-36 advantage to halftime. San Beda then stepped on the gas pedal in the second half and led by as much as 25, 85-60, before cruising to the victory.

Big man Donald Tankoua imposed his will inside and finished with 26 points, eight rebounds, and two blocks while MVP contender Calvin Oftana registered a double-double of 18 points and 10 rebounds to go with two assists and two blocks. James Canlas also had a solid game of 17 points, seven boards and three dimes.

Lyceum, is now locked as the second seed with its 13-5 card. Jaycee Marcelino led the Pirates with 17 points, four rebounds, and two steals.

THE SCORES

SAN BEDA (85) Tankoua 26, Oftana 18, Canlas 17, Doliguez 5, Soberano 5, Abuda 5, Nelle 4, Carino 4, Bahio 1, Alfaro 0.

LYCEUM (62) Jc. Marcelino 17, Santos 12, Guinto 6, Navarro 6, Valdez 6, Remulla 5, Caduyac 4, Ibanez 4, Jv. Marcelino 2, David 0, Tansingco 0, Yong 0.

Quarters: 20-17, 48-36, 66-49, 85-62.

(Photo courtesy of San Beda Red Lions Facebook page)