By Dugout Philippines
SAN JUAN, MM--Evan Nelle found his A-game again after a relatively quiet NCAA Season 92 stint so far as San Beda took the first twice-to-beat advantage in the juniors basketball Final Four with an 85-82 squeaker against La Salle-Greenhills at the FilOil Flying V Centre on Friday.
Nelle, the Finals MVP last year, scored the Red Cubs' last eight points, six coming in the final 47 seconds including the game-winning three to help them survive the Greenies' final hurrah and secure for themselves a top two finish.
The Batang Gilas standout finished with 27 points, three rebounds, four assists, and one steal, while Prince Etrata added 13 points, two rebounds, and three assists for San Beda, which in the process also secured the top seed in the semifinals with one game to spare, a finals rematch with Arellano on Monday.
Joshua Marcos tallied 20 markers, five caroms, and one assist for La Salle-Greenhills, which slipped to a tie with Arellano for third place at 13-4.
The Braves' late mishap continued with a 71-84 defeat to the Malayan Red Robins.
Mike Enriquez had an explosion of his own for Malayan, which zoomed to second place at 13-3, with 28 points, six rebounds, five assists, and two steals.
Guilmer Dela Torre had a quiet 14 points with four rebounds, two assists, one steal, and two blocks for Arellano, but he also tallied six turnovers.
The Malayan defense also stifled Carlo Abadeza, who only finished with two points and was limited to only three field goal attempts, although he got seven rebounds, five assists, and one block.
The Red Robins and the Greenies lock horns also on Monday with the winner earning at least a playoff for the other twice-to-beat edge.
The Red Robins and the Greenies lock horns also on Monday with the winner earning at least a playoff for the other twice-to-beat edge.
The other results had JRU stunning Lyceum, 75-72, Letran subduing San Sebastian, 75-71, and ICA trouncing Perpetual Help, 79-65.
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