EVAN Nelle scored 20 points as San Beda defeated UAAP champion Far Eastern University, 93-89, on Wednesday to move into the finals of the SM NBTC National High School Championship at the Mall of Asia Arena.
San Beda reached the NBTC finals for the third straight time and will face the winner of the Mapua-Ateneo de Cebu semifinal encounter.
Nelle connected on six triples to put San Beda in control before staving off a late FEU rally to remain unbeaten after going 3-0 in the preliminaries of the event presented by Freego.
Luke Sese had 14 points, while Prince Etrata added 13 points for San Beda.
LJ Gonzales had 21 points, while Kenji Roman had 16 points and 11 rebounds for the Baby Tamaraws, who are competing in their first-ever NBTC tournament.
The scores:
San Beda 93 — Nelle 20, Sese 14, Etrata 13, Tagala 11, Obenza 10, Abu Hijleh 7, Alfaro 6, Nayve 5, Velasquez 5, Mahinay 2, Garcia 0.
FEU 89 — Gonzales 21, Roman 16, Gloria 13, Torres 9, Abarrientos 9, Celso 7, Ro. Alforque 4, Sapinit 4, Gabane 4, Jabel 2, Ra. Alforque 0, Boc 0, Sevilla 0.
Quarterscores: 23-18; 59-43; 76-62; 93-89.