By Dugout Philippines
The San Beda Red Lions moved to within a win of securing the first NCAA Final Four berth with a 73-44 blowout win against the Letran Knights in the lone seniors game at the FilOil Flying V Arena in San Juan City.
The Red Lions trailed, 7-8, with less than four minutes left in the first period.
But they outscored the Knights, 30-10, in the rest of the first half to open a 37-18 halftime advantage.
Letran looked to inch closer as it cut San Beda's lead to 13, 43-30, with 6:27 left in the third quarter.
But San Beda opened another 12-4 run to end the period leading by 21, 55-34.
The Red Lions formalized the rout by starting the payoff period with a 13-3 run to increase their lead to 31 and never looked back.
Art Dela Cruz led San Beda, who can officially clinch the semifinal seat with a win against Perpetual Help on September 22, with 17 points.
Ola Adeogun, who vowed to avenge his team's first round loss to Letran prior to the match, added 14 markers.
Mark Cruz led the Knights, whose playoff chase got a huge blow, with ten points.
San Beda 73-Dela Cruz 17, Adeogun 14, Pascual 11, Koga 6, Amer 6, Mendoza 6, Abude 4, D. Semerad 4, A. Semerad 2, Tongco 2, Mocon 1, Cabañag 0, Sara 0, Abatayo 0, Sorela 0
Letran 44-Cruz 10, Racal 8, Publico 7, Ruaya 4, Tambeling 4, Apreku 3, Quinto 3, Gabawan 3, Nambatac 2, Calvo 0, Castro 0, Saldua 0, Luib 0, Dela Peña 0, Singontiko 0
Quarterscores: 17-8, 37-18, 55-34, 73-44
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