By Kevin Estrada
SAN JUAN -- Champions San Beda will return tomorrow to defend their FilOil-Flying V Preseason Cup after dispatching Group B topnotcher St. Benilde, 78-71 on Friday night at the FilOil-Flying V Centre.
The Red Lions pulled away from a close battle in the opening canto to coast away with the win, setting up an all-champions clash with Ateneo in Saturday's final.
Four Bedans were on double figures with the twin-tower combo of Donald Tankoua and Eugene Toba pouring in 14 points each, as jayvee Mocon backstopped with a double-double of 13 markers and 12 boards.
Justin Gutang led all scorers with 22 markers on a 60 percent clip from the field but that was not enough for the Blazers who were relegated to the third-place playoff against FEU also on Saturday.
The Scores:
SAN BEDA 78 – Tankoua 14, Eugene 14, Mocon 13, Doliguez 11, Bolick 9, Canlas 6, Nelle 5, Abuda 3, Cuntapay 3, Presbitero 0, Tongco 0, Oftana 0, Cabanag 0
ST. BENILDE 71 – Gutang 22, Leutcheu 15, Haruna 11, Pasturan 8, Belgica 4, Dixon 4, Naboa 3, Domingo 2, Pagulayan 2, Carlos 0, Young 0, Nayve 0, Velasco 0
Quarter Scores: 20-19, 40-34, 54-53, 78-71
Follow him on Twitter: @KevinLEstrada
.jpg)
