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San Beda avenges NBTC final loss to Sacred Heart in semis clash

By Ivan Saldajeno

PASAY--San Beda booked the last NBTC Division 1 championship game spot after trouncing last year's final tormentor Sacred Heart, 86-75, at the Mall of Asia Arena on Wednesday.

Unlike last year, the Red Cubs held off a comeback bid by the Magis Eagles in the fourth quarter and preserved the double-digit lead they built in the first half to seal a date with the NSNU Bullpups on Thursday.

Evan Nelle and Sam Abuhiljeh each tallied 16 points with the latter putting up a double-double with 12 rebounds for San Beda.

Eroll Pastor dropped a rare Filipino high school 20-20 with 22 points and 25 rebounds for Sacred Heart, whose last year's championship team boasted of would-be UAAP rookies.

Box Scores:

San Beda 86-Nelle 16, Abu Hiljeh 16, Tagala 9, Bordeos 8, Etrata 8, Lagumen 8, Alfaro 7, Mahinay 6, Dela Rosa 3, Velasquez 3, Nayve 2, Barbero 0

Sacred Heart 75-Pastor 22, Mantua 14, Velasco 13, Colonia 7, Calumpang 6, Bersaluna 5, Cutamora 4, Nacua 3, Manaytay 1, Yu 0, Javelosa 0, Visser 0, Chua 0

Quarterscores: 28-15, 50-33, 69-61, 86-75

Follow him on Twitter: @IvanSaldajeno