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3-peat NCAA Champions San Beda Red Lions capitalized on a huge third quarter to trump the Arellano University Chiefs, 75-65, in their semi-final matchup in the 9th Fr. Martin Cup Collegiate Open basketball tournament at the Trinity University of Asia gymnasium, Quezon City.

The Red Lions blasted the Chiefs with a huge 24-10 run in the third quarter, allowing them to march into the finals.

The gritty Red Lions erected their biggest lead of the game at 61-41, with 2:15 minutes left in the third period, following two technical fouls called on Arellano’s Jalalon and a member of their coaching staff.

Arellano, though, did not give up and slowly crept back into the game in the final period as they came to within 9, 72-63, with over a minute left.

But defensive stops coupled with crucial offensive boards by San Beda proved to be too much for Arellano to overcome towards the end of the game. With a few exchanges in steals in the final seconds, Ola Adeogun who tallied 12 markers, set the final score by sinking 1 of his 2 charities in the last 10 seconds.

Rome Dela Rosa topscored with 13 points, while Baser Amer also stepped up with 11 points. Ryusei Koga and Francis Abarcar chipped in 8 and 7 points respectively.

Meanwhile, the College of Saint Benilde Blazers narrowly escaped the Letran Knights in the following game, 63-61, to meet the Red Lions in the finals to determine the champion of this year’s Fr. Martin tourney.

Playing a splendid first half, the CSB-A Blazers led by as much as 12 points in the 2nd quarter off a trey by Mark Romero, who waxed hot and registered a game high 24 points.

The Letran Knights, however, kept in step with the Blazers and ended the first half down by only 9 points, 30-21.

But after playing catch-up for more than 30 minutes of action, the Knights tied the game at 35 with 3:44 minutes remaining in the third quarter. Kevin Racal, who had a team high 17 points, completed a 3-point play opportunity courtesy of an offensive rebound from a missed shot by Mark Cruz.

The Knights finally tasted their first lead of the game in the ensuing play, 37-35, from a Nambatac basket.

Both squads then exchanged baskets that resulted in multiple lead changes in the payoff period, ultimately leading to a down the wire finish that saw key players executing clutch plays.

Tied at 56 all with only 1:46 on the game clock, Luis Sinco, who chipped in 17 points, delivered big in the clutch. After completing a 3-point play to put the Blazers up by 3 with 53 seconds remaining, he then calmly sank a jumper to give his squad a little more breathing room towards the end.

However, the Knights would not be easily put away as McJour Luib buried a clutch shot from beyond the arc with 20 seconds remaining to complete his 7-point contribution to his team. Jambatac also delivered a crucial basket for the Knights to come to within one with 4.87 seconds remaining.

Sinco then went on to sink 1 of his 2 freebies for a 63-61 final score. The Knights tried to force overtime with a heave from Nambatac off the inbound that only bounced off the ring, which sealed the Blazers’ trip to the finals.

San Beda vs Arellano Quarter Scores:
17-15, 33-27, 61-46, 75-65

College of St. Benilde-A vs Letran Quarter Scores:
17-12, 30-21, 43-40, 63-61

By Jane Bracher

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