The defending champion San Beda Red Lions stepped on the gas in the fourth period and outplayed the Arellano University Chiefs, 83-72, Thursday at the Arena in San Juan.
Jeramer Cabanag and Javee Mocon provided 14 points each for the Red Lions, who marched to their 12th straight triumph in the 93rd National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) men’s basketball tournament.
This earned the Red Lions a twice-to-beat incentive in the Final Four semifinals, and their seventh straight appearance since earning an outright finals seat in 2010.
The Red Lions now have a 13-1 win-loss record behind the unbeaten Lyceum Pirates.
With the Chiefs, threatening, 58-61, Donald Tankoua struck hard twice, during a 6-2 run, hitting a layup and two charities to send the Red Lions ahead, 67-60, in the last 8:10.
As the Chiefs came back on a triple from Levi de la Cruz, the Red Lions scored thrice after forcing three turnovers, and moved out of reach on AC Soberano’s triple, 74-63, with 5:57 left.
Red Lions coach Boyet Fernandez said he worried on his players’ individual defense in the beginning.
But this improved in the second half, especially in the fourth.
“Medyo nag-improve na rin ang individual defense namin at that time. Because I really challenged my players to step up,” said Fernandez.
Kent Salado drilled in 17 points for the Chiefs, who fell behind with their 5-9 record.