By Ivan Saldajeno
PASIG--AC Soberano shot the go-ahead basket as San Beda University survived a third quarter blast from San Sebastian to take a 70-67 win in a rematch of their NCAA semifinal battle in the Elite 8 round of the PCCL at the Ynares Sports Arena on Thursday.
Soberano made a triple with 37 seconds left to help the Red Lions score the victory to begin their PCCL title defense on a high note.
San Beda appeared to have contained San Sebastian in the first half, limiting its rival, which entered the national quarterfinals as the NCR regional champion, to only 27 points.
However, behind the hot three point shooting of Renzo Navarro and Alvin Capobres, the Golden Stags dropped 29 points on the Red Lions in the third to go up, 56-50, at the end of the period. They started the quarter on an 11-0 run.
They appeared to be avenging their NCAA playoff defeat to the Red Lions, the eventual NCAA champs, as they held a 65-58 lead with 5:20 to go.
However, San Beda closed out the game on a 12-2 run highlighted by Soberano's eventual game-winning trey off a feed from Robert Bolick to reclaim the lead.
San Sebastian still tried to force overtime, but RK Ilagan missed a three-point try even as his teammates failed to follow up in time.
Soberano and Bolick each scored 14 points for the Red Lions.
Capobres also had 14 markers for the Golden Stags.
Box Scores:
San Beda 70-Bolick 14, Soberano 14, Mocon 13, Tankoua 8, Noah 5, Oftana 5, Bahio 4, Presbitero 3, Adamos 2, Tongco 2, Cabanag 0, Doliguez 0, Penuela 0, Abuda 0, Carino 0
San Sebastian 67-Capobres 14, Costelo 12, Navarro 11, Bulanadi 9, David 8, Baetiong 6, Valdez 4, Are 2, Calisaan 1, Ilagan 0, Mercado 0, Calma 0, Dela Cruz 0, Baytan 0
Quarterscores: 17-14, 34-27, 50-56, 70-67
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