By Ivan Saldajeno
SAN JUAN, MM--Two days after JRU successfully recovered from a late 18-point deficit, San Sebastian nearly pulled an encore.
But unlike Mapua on Tuesday, San Beda withstood the storm on Thursday.
The Red Lions closed out their NCAA game on a 14-4 run and broke the Golden Stags' hearts with a 92-81 win at the FilOil Flying V Arena.
San Beda appeared to be pulling away after opening a 78-61 lead after the third quarter.
But San Sebastian opened the fourth quarter with 16 unanswered points to move to within one, 77-78.
Ola Adeogun tried to restore order for the Red Lions with a layup to stretch the gap to three, but Mike Calisaan answered with a jumper and the lead was down to one again.
Dan Sara and Ryusei Koga made key baskets to up their team's advantage to five, 84-79, with 2:18 left.
Ryan Costelo kept the game interesting with a field goal entering the two-minute warning, but San Beda finished with eight straight points to pull away for good.
Adeogun led the Red Lions, who are now on a provisional tie with the Letran Knights for first place at 7-1, with 28 points on 12-of-18 shooting, 14 rebounds, and one assist.
Arth Dela Cruz, who was consistent in his first seven games, had a slow outing as he only made five of 15 field goals and two of five free throws for 13 points, but he had nine rebounds, five assists, and one steal.
Costelo had 18 points, on 8-of-11 shooting, eight rebounds, four assists, and two steals for the Golden Stags, who fell to a three-way tie with the Lyceum Pirates and the EAC Generals at the bottom.
Box Scores:
San Beda 92-Adeogun 28, Dela Cruz 13, Koga 12, Tankoua 11, Sara 10, Tongco 8, Mocon 6, Cabanag 3, Sorela 1, Reyes 0, Presbitero 0, Soberano 0, Bonsubre 0, Sedillo 0
San Sebastian 81-Costelo 18, Calisaan 17, Ortuoste 13, Fabian 10, Guinto 9, Bulanadi 5, Santos 3, Sibal 2, Capobres 2, David 2, Mercado 0, Pretta 0
Quarterscores: 27-20, 53-39, 78-61, 92-81
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