Lions devour Pirates, roar to NCAA Final Four

San Beda’s Janti Miller (11)

(NCAA Philippines)

MANILA, Philippines — Final Four spot secured.

The San Beda Red Lions booked their ticket to the NCAA Season 101 men’s basketball semifinals after mauling the Lyceum Pirates, 91-67, in wire-to-wire fashion Thursday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

San Beda will now wait for the quarterfinal winner between the Benilde Blazers and the Mapua Cardinals.

The Lions rained down 13 triples on the Pirates to grab the runaway victory.

Yuki Andrada powered San Beda with 20 points and three rebounds. Janti Miller backstopped with 18 markers and six boards, while Bismarck Lina had 15 points and 13 rebounds.

San Beda started off the game waxing hot, going up by double digits in the first quarter, before Lyceum made it to within four, 26-30, in the second frame.

But the Lions found their rhythm anew, going up by 11, 51-40, at the half.

Renz Villegas tried to tow Lyceum back into it, making a layup that inched them closer, 44-54.

San Beda then turned things up a notch and finished the third frame with a massive 19-4 run to break the game wide open, 73-48.

The winning team rode this to the finish line, as the lead grew to as much as 26 points, 91-65, late in the game.

Bryan Sajonia also produced 13 points, four assists and two rebounds for San Beda.

Ato Barba carried the offense for Lyceum for the last time, as he finished with 13 points, four assists and two rebounds. Renz Villegas chipped in 11 points.