San Beda–Rizal made quick work of Lyceum–Cavite, 68-49, to clinch the final quarterfinal berth in the NCAA Season 102 Juniors Play-In on Saturday at the Filoil Centre in San Juan City.
The Red Cubs avenged their 68-67 defeat on Thursday, when the Junior Pirates claimed their first win of the season to force a rubber match.
San Beda will next test its mettle against Group B top seed University of Perpetual Help System DALTA, mirroring the matchup in the seniors’ division, albeit with the roles reversed.
The Junior Pirates took an early 9-5 lead behind two three-pointers from Enzo Guevarra, but the Red Cubs responded with a 9-1 run to seize control.
After Lyceum pulled within two, 14-12, San Beda closed the opening quarter with a 10-2 surge, powered by Mark San Buenaventura and Marl Berdan, to take a 24-14 advantage.
Harvvey Gerobin then drilled back-to-back triples to spark a 10-0 run, extending the Red Cubs’ lead to 34-18.
San Beda held Lyceum to just nine points in the second quarter to carry a comfortable 16-point cushion into halftime.
Mahatma Adong gave the Red Cubs their biggest lead of the game at 44-23 after knocking down a three-pointer early in the third quarter.
The Red Cubs dominated the boards, 58-44, including 26 offensive rebounds that translated into 21 second-chance points. Their bench also outscored the Junior Pirates’ reserves, 43-12.
San Beda further capitalized on Lyceum’s 19 turnovers, converting them into 15 points.
San Buenaventura finished with 13 points, nine rebounds, and two steals, while Berdan added 12 points, four rebounds, two assists, and two steals.
Sean Reroma chipped in 11 points, four rebounds, and three assists.
Steven Creus paced Lyceum as its lone double-digit scorer, finishing with 14 points and nine rebounds.
The Red Cubs will face the Junior Altas in another must-win game on November 17 at 10 a.m. at the same venue.
The Scores:
San Beda–Rizal 68 — San Buenaventura 13, Berdan 12, Reroma 11, Bonzalida 7, Nonato 6, Gerobin 6, Adong 5, Barrion 4, Marial 2, Del Rosario 2, Bonus 0, Basillo 0, Salcedo 0, Dy 0, Jomalesa 0.
Lyceum–Cavite 49 — Creus 14, Guevarra 9, Pelayo 8, Pena 4, Rose 4, Yonzon 4, Fabian 2, Odchina 2, Juan 2, Altamirano 0, Ronato 0, Caparroso 0, Flores 0, Cordero.
Quarterscores: 24-14, 39-23, 51-35, 68-49.
