By Ricky Manliguis
SAN JUAN-- Three's a charm for San Beda.
Thanks to the torrid fourth-quarter explosion of Ben Adamos and AC Soberano, the Red Lions disposed Arellano U, 80-73, to clinch the top spot in the Final Four of Season 92 of the NCAA basketball tournament at the FilOil Flying V Arena Tuesday.
Adamos and Soberano piled up 13 of 20 fourth-quarter points for the Lions, who have defeated the Chiefs for the third time this season, and will hold the top seed in the play-offs for the 11th straight time, dating back to 2006.
Holding a slim 60-59 edge heading into the final 10 minutes of play, the back-up center opened up the fourth quarter rampage with six straight points. He finished the game with 14 with six rebounds and four blocked shots.
Soberano issued a career-high 26 points anchored on six triples, including a long bomb to give them a 13-point buffer, 73-60, time down to 4:15 in the payoff period. He also grabbed six rebounds and a steal.
Robert Bolick also had 14, while team captain Dan Sara chipped in 10.
Jio Jalalon paced the Chiefs with 14 markers, seven rebounds, five assists, and two steals. His backcourt mates Kent Salado and Donald Gumaru tallied 11 points each, even as Kraniel Villoria issued 10.
In the Final Four, the Lions will face fourth-seeded University of Perpetual Help, while the Chiefs will tackle third-ranked Mapua. Both games will be on Friday at the Mall Of Asia Arena.
The scores:
San Beda 80 – Soberano 26, Bolick 14, Adamos 14, Sara 10, Mocon 6, Noah 5, Presbitero 3, Potts 2, Bonsubre 0, Tongco 0, Navarro 0, Oftana 0, Carlos 0.
Arellano 73 – Jalalon 14, Salado 11, Gumaru 11, Villoria 10, Flores 6, Canete 6, Enriquez 5, Holts 3, Aguilar 3, Meca 2, Cadavis 2, Nicholls 0, Zamora 0, Gupilan 0.
Quarterscores: 23-22; 38-35; 60-59; 80-73.
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