By Ricky Manliguis
SAN JUAN, MM—San Beda booked its 11th Final Four appearance as it downed the Lyceum Pirates, 89-73, in the second game of Season 92 of the NCAA at the FilOil Flying V Centre Friday.
Arnaud Noah, Davon Potts, and AC Soberano combined for 58 points as the Red Lions arrested its two-game slide and notch its 12th win in 16 outings.
Noah fired 20 of his 22 points in the second half, Soberano went for 16 on a perfect 6-of-6 from the field and five three-pointers, while Potts had 19, 16 in the first 20 minutes.
Potts led a searing first-half offensive, first on a 10-2 salvo for an 18-7 first-quarter lead, then mustering 15 points along with team skipper Dan Sara to close out the period with a 21-14 edge.
LPU had one last gallant stand, trimming the deficit to 63-74, only for Potts and Soberano to light up with back-to-back corner treys for an 82-65 cushion and never looked back.
The Lions improved to 2-3 without injured bigman Donald Tankoua, who suffered a season-ending ACL injury. Sara also appeared to be hurt in the final frame, but was able to finish the game.
Three-point shooting was key to the Lions, as it made all but six of its 16 attempts from downtown for a 62 percent clip. LPU, meanwhile shot just 2-for-9 (36 percent).
The Pirates sank even further down the standings with its 11th loss opposite five victories, despite the career game by Reymar Caduyac, who scored 27 points and four rebounds.
Jesper Ayaay contributed 17, while Edcor Marata was the third leading scorer with 11 markers.
The Scores
San Beda 89 — Noah 22, Potts 19, Soberano 17, Mocon 12, Sara 9, Adamos 6, Bolick 2, Oftana 2, Presbitero 0, Tongco 0, Bahio 0, Bonsubre 0.
Lyceum 73 — Caduyac 27, Ayaay 17, Marata 11, Soliman 6, Nzuesseu 5, Alban 4, Baltazar 3, Alanes 0, Rubite 0, Bulawan 0, Soriano 0.
Quarterscores: 21-14; 46-32; 64-55; 89-73.
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