Lions devour Generals to seize twice-to-beat quarters bonus

San Beda Red Lions’ Bryan Sajonia (9)

(NCAA Philippines)

Games Friday

(Filoil EcoOil Arena)

9:30 a.m. – AU vs Mapua (juniors/seniors)

2:30 p.m. – EAC vs CSB (seniors/juniors)

MANILA, Philippines — San Beda unleashed massive fourth quarter run as it rallied to beat Emilio Aguinaldo College, 96-78, on Wednesday and sealed the Group B top seed and a twice-to-beat edge in the quarterfinals of NCAA Season 101 at the Filoil EcoOil Arena in San Juan City .

John Sajonia, Agjanti Miller and Jimuel Reyes took turns and each fired nine points in that decisive 27-9 run in the final canto, which turned a deficit into their ninth win in 12 outings, guaranteeing the Lions the No. 1 spot in the quarters.

There, they would face the winner of the knockout play-in duel between Jose Rizal University (6-7) and EAC, which finished the elimination round with a 4-9 card.

San Beda had actually a match to go versus bitter rival Letran Sunday but the former will still seal No. 1 in its bracket regardless of the result of that duel due to superior quotient.

“Our focus now is to try to prepare and get that rhythm going into the quarterfinals,” said San Beda coach Yuri Escueta.

Interestingly, it also handed the other quarters incentive to St. Benilde (8-4).

The pro-bound Sajonia finished the game leading everyone with 26 points. But him conspiring with Miller and Reyes in the last period helped seal the deal for the Lions.

Earlier, Arellano University drubbed Lyceum, 74-56, to claim an outright quarters berth with a 6-6 record.

The Pirates fell to 3-9 and will battle San Sebastian in the knockout play-in next week.

The scores:

First Game

AU 74 – Ongotan 24, Vinoya 14, Valencia 8, Borromeo 7, Geronimo 6, Demetria 4, Libang 4, Camay 3, Hernal 2, Buenaventura 2, Cabotaje 0, Abiera 0, Acop 0, Anarna 0, Langit 0

LPU 56 – Barba 13, Montaño 7, Villegas 6, Versoza 6, Aviles 6, Matienzo 4, Abregana 3, Casiño 3, Moralejo 2, Gordon 2, Daileg 2, Peñafiel 2, Aurigue 0, Pallingayan 0, Paulo 0.

Quarterscores: 26-8; 37-27; 56-42; 74-56

Second Game

San Beda 96 – Sajonia 26, Andrada 17, Miller 17, Reyes 12, Celzo 11, Culdora 5, Gonzales 3, Etulle 3, Lina 2, Calimag 0, Bonzalida 0, Estacio 0, Jamora 0

EAC 82 – Lucero 14, Ochavo 11, Tolentino 10, Bagay 9, Angeles 7, Oftana 6, Bacud 6, Castillo 6, Loristo 4, Quinal 3, Shanoda 2, Jacob 2, Postanes 2, Dominguez 0, Villarente 0.

Quarterscores: 23-33; 47-54; 69-73; 96-82