Red Lions still with an unblemished record, clinch playoff berth; St. Benilde firm up winning ways over Perpetual

San Beda bucked the absence of Borgie Hermida as it walloped Arellano U, 70-54, yesterday to move closer and closer to a historic elimination round sweep of the 86th NCAA basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan City.

Alder dela Rosa exploded with 17 points while Sudan Daniel, Jake Pascual and Dave Marcelo chipped in 11, 11 and 10 points, respectively, to power the Lions to their 13th straight win and three games away from sweeping their way to the best-of-three finale.

The win also clinched San Beda at least a playoff for a twice-to-beat advantage in the Final Four.

And the Lions did it in the absence of pro-bound Hermida, who was rested for the second straight game after going under the weather the weather last week.

San Beda coach Frankie Lim said he sat out Hermida for the last three games against Jose Rizal (11-3) on Monday, Letran (6- next week and defending champion San Sebastian (12-1) on Sept. 29.

“I rested Borgie (Hermida) because I want him fresh against Jose Rizal,” said San Beda coach Frankie Lim.

The Chiefs, who were paced by Adrian Celada’s 19 points, were officially eliminated from the Final Four race after succumbing to their ninth defeat against five wins.

San Beda is also staring at closing in on the league’s longest streak at 15 wins accomplished by San Sebastian last year when the latter went on to win it all.

Earlier, St. Benilde overcame Perpetual Help, 70-64, in a non-bearing contest to nail its fifth win against 10 losses.

Carlo Lastimosa, Timothy McCoy and Mark de Guzman fired 15, 14 and 13 points, respectively, to seal it for the Blazers while dealing the Altas, who were led by Jet Vidal’s 20 points, their 14th straight setback.

In juniors’ action, San Beda leaned on another strong effort by MVP race leader Baser Amer as it steamrolled Arellano U, 89-53, to clinch a playoff for a twice-to-beat advantage in the Final Four with a 12-1 (win-loss) record.

Amer, a prized find from Zamboanga who is playing his final season, had 12 points he spliced with a season best 17 assists, eight caroms and three steals that help seal it for the Cubs. The Junior Chiefs fell to their 14th loss in row.

The scores:

Third Game
CSB 70- Lastimosa 15, McCoy 14, de Guzman 13, Manalac 8, Sinco 6, Tan 6, Nayve 4, Abolucion 2, Argamino 1, Amin 1, Wong 0
Perpetual Help 64- Vidal 20, Allen 12, Danganan 8, Sumera 8, Arboleda 5, Salvado 4, Kintanar 3, Alano 2, Asuncion 2, Elopre 0, Ynion 0, Sison 0
Quarterscores: 21-15; 32-35; 55-46; 70-64

Fourth Game
San Beda 70- dela Rosa 17, Daniel 11, J. Pascual 11, Marcelo 10, Lanete 9, Caram 5, Villahermosa 4, K. Pascual 2, A. Semerad 1, D. Semerad 0, Moralde 0, Sorela 0, Lim 0
Arellano U 54- Celada 19, Ciriacruz 14, Casino 6, Lapuz 4, Advincula 4, Caperal 2, Acidre 2, Zulueta 1, del Rosario 0, Tayongtong 0, Palma 0
Quarterscores: 20-9; 36-22; 56-44; 70-54