SAN Beda stayed on track in its bid for an eighth straight title after defeating Arellano, 102-93, on Tuesday in the NCAA Season 92 juniors basketball tournament at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Robi Navye had six of his 17 points in the fourth period as San Beda staved off a big Arellano fightback and moved to the title series after being forced to a rubber match in the semifinals. The Red Cubs earlier absorbed an 89-84 loss after squandering a 17-point lead.
Mark Lagumen had nine of his 16 points in the first quarter for the Red Cubs, who led by as many as 30 points.
San Beda will face Mapua in the best-of-three championship series beginning on Thursday.
The Cubs led, 61-37, at halftime but the Braves cut the deficit to six points.
San Beda managed to hold off the Braves this time.
“We learned a lot from our last game. Last seven minutes lang kami nahabol. Buti na lang nanalo pa rin,” said San Beda coach JB Sison.
Carlo Abadeza had 19 points and nine rebounds, while Aaron Fermin chipped in 15 points and nine rebounds for the Braves. Guilmer Dela Torre had 13 points but fouled out halfway through the fourth period.
The scores:
San Beda 102 — Nayve 17, Lagumen 16, Tagala 15, Obenza 15, Mahinay 13, Alfaro 10, Etrata 7, Abu Hijle 5, Nelle 4, Barbero 0.
Arellano 93 — Abadeza 19, Fermin 15, Dela Torre 13, Sunga 11, Batiler 10, Espiritu 9, Danas 7, De Leon 4, Velasco 3, Camarillo 2, Tamayo 0, Fornis 0, Dulatre 0, Domingo 0, Dimaunahan 0.
Quarterscores: 28-17; 61-37; 83-67; 102-93.