SAN Beda arranged a title showdown with La Salle in the 2019 Filoil Flying V Preseason Cup Finals, edging Adamson, 75-70, in the semifinals on Thursday in San Juan.
The Red Lions held the Soaring Falcons scoreless in the final 2:26 as Calvin Oftana drilled the go-ahead three with 1:08 remaining to make it 73-70.
That was the biggest of his eight points and five rebounds in the game, earning praise from coach Boyet Fernandez.
"We’ve always been nurturing Calvin to be our next Javee Mocon. He was just making shots," he said.
Jerom Lastimosa and Joem Sabandal would commit costly turnovers in the ensuing possession, before James Canlas locked up the win at the free throw line with 18.7 seconds remaining.
San Beda and La Salle clash for all the marbles in the summer tournament on Sunday.
Canlas led the Red Lions with 16 points and seven rebounds, as Donald Tankoua had a double-double of 15 points and 10 boards.
Clint Doliguez also had a solid showing with 14 points, four rebounds and four steals, while Evan Nelle racked eight points, eight assists and five boards.
Aaron Fermin led Adamson with 22 points, seven rebounds, two assists and one block, while Jerrick Ahanmisi got 13 points and three boards. with reports from Andrew Mencias
The scores:
San Beda 75 - Canlas 16, Tankoua 15, Doliguez 14, Nelle 8, Oftana 8, Noah 7, Bahio 4, Penuela 3, Abuda 0, Etrata 0, Alfaro 0.
Adamson 70 - Fermin 22, Ahanmisi 13, Lastimosa 10, Douanga 9, Camacho 7, Yerro 5, Sabandal 2, V. Magbuhos 2, Zaldivar 0, Bernardo 0, Manlapaz 0, Maata 0.
Quarterscores: 14-15; 36-35; 51-53; 75-70.
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