Calvin Oftana drilled in 29 points for San Beda University as the Red Lions put away the struggling College of St. Benilde Blazers, 95-73, yesterday at the FilOil-Flying V Sports Center in San Juan.
Oftana connected with 13 points for the Red Lions, who turned a 41-42 deficit into a 58-41 lead midway in the third, en route to their 17th straight triumph in the 95th National Collegiate Athletic Association men’s basketball tournament.
James Canlas made 21 points in helping move the Red Lions one win closer of completing an 18-game sweep of the eliminations, and earning an outright finals slot.
The Red Lions, with Donald Tankoua adding 13 points, are now a victory shy of matching their season 86, when they won 18 straight games to win the title.
“Simple lang naman sinabi ko sa players nung halftime, mahiya naman sila sa sarili nila,” head coach Boyet Fernandez, after the Red Lions fell behind, 41-42, at halftime.
With Justin Gutang shooting 23 points, the Blazers are almost out of contention with their 7-9 win-loss record.
Earlier, Justine Sanchez’s big game helped the San Beda Red Cubs to a 94-87 stopping of the La Salle Greenhills Greenies.
This allowed the Red Cubs to avenge their first round loss to the Greenies in the junior division.
The Red Cubs, who already bagged the top seeding in the Final Four, got 18 points from Rhayyan Amsali.
RC Calimag struck with 34 points and nine rebounds for the Greenies who fell to fourth place with their 9-7 win-loss card.
The San Sebastian Staglets, with Rafael Are firing 17 points, turned back the Malayan Red Robins, 74-69, to move to share of fourth with the Greenies and remain in contention for a Final Four slot.
Tony Ynot delivered 14 points in leading the Red Cubs to their 12th straight win.