SAN JUAN, MM—San Beda weathered second half rallies by Lyceum to take an 87-80 win in their NCAA clash at the FilOil Flying V Arena on Thursday night.
Up by as much as 20 in the first half, the Red Lions saw their lead chopped to as low as six, 56-50, early in the third quarter.
They would rebuild the double-digit lead later in the third before settling for a nine-point cushion at the end of the period.
San Beda stretched the lead to 16, 82-66, in the fourth quarter and held on despite a late Lyceum run.
Arth Dela Cruz led the Red Lions, who tied the Letran Knights in first place at 11-3, with 25 points, eight rebounds, four assists, and three steals.
They survived a 28-point explosion from Wilson Baltazar.
Box Scores:
San Beda 87-Dela Cruz 25, Tongco 14, Amer 12, Adeogun 11, Mocon 5, Sara 5, Tankoua 4, Soberano 4, Koga 2, Reyes 2, Cabanag 2, Sedillo 1, Presbitero 0, Bonsubre 0
Lyceum 80-Baltazar 28, Gabayni 24, Alanes 8, Nguidjol 6, Taladua 4, Bulawan 4, Marata 3, Lacastesantos 3, Ayaay 0, Malabanan 0, Mbida 0, Soliman 0, Sunga 0
Quarterscores: 17-15, 49-31, 67-58, 87-80
Box Scores:
San Beda 87-Dela Cruz 25, Tongco 14, Amer 12, Adeogun 11, Mocon 5, Sara 5, Tankoua 4, Soberano 4, Koga 2, Reyes 2, Cabanag 2, Sedillo 1, Presbitero 0, Bonsubre 0
Lyceum 80-Baltazar 28, Gabayni 24, Alanes 8, Nguidjol 6, Taladua 4, Bulawan 4, Marata 3, Lacastesantos 3, Ayaay 0, Malabanan 0, Mbida 0, Soliman 0, Sunga 0
Quarterscores: 17-15, 49-31, 67-58, 87-80