MANILA -- San Beda completed a 9-0 sweep of the first round of the NCAA men's basketball tournament after subduing Mapua, 69-60, in the final day of the round at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay on Friday.
Despite the gallant stand by the Cardinals, the Red Lions were just too much, especially in the second half, where they gradually pulled away.
Calvin Oftana made 24 points, 12 rebounds, five assists, two blocks, and one steal for San Beda, which is now halfway into a full 18-0 shutout of the regular season which would mean an outright finals seat.
James Kwekuteye and Donald Tankoua each added 10 markers.
Paolo Hernandez collected 16 markers, four boards, three dimes, and one swat for Mapua, which fell to a three-way tie with Perpetual Help and Jose Rizal University for sixth place at 3-6.
Meanwhile, Letran and San Sebastian forced a four-way tie for second place with their respective wins.
The Knights clobbered the College of Saint Benilde Blazers, 88-64, while the Golden Stags tripped the Arellano Chiefs, 85-79.
On his birthday, Jerrick Balanza sizzled for Letran, scoring 26 points on 8-for-13 shooting with one rebound and one block as the team tied its victim, idle Lyceum, and eventually "Baste" at 6-3.
Allyn Bulanadi, on the other hand, made 22 markers, seven caroms, and two steals for the Golden Stags in their win that set up a wild dash to the Final 4 at the start of the second round.
The Scores:
First Game
LETRAN 88 -- Balanza 26, Batiller 10, Olivario 7, Muyang 7, Caralipio 6, Yu 6, Ular 6, Balagasay 6, Ambohot 5, Reyson 5, Mina 2, Sangalang 2, Javillonar 0, Guarino 0.
ST. BENILDE 64 -- Belgica 12, Haruna 8, Naboa 7, Flores 7, Carlos 7, Nayve 6, Sangco 5, Lepalam 5, Gutang 3, Young 3, Leutcheu 1, Dixon 1, Velasco 0, Mosqueda 0.
Quarters: 25-15, 46-35, 73-49, 88-64.
Second Game
SAN BEDA 69 - Oftana 24, Canlas 10, Tankoua 10, Abuda 7, Bahio 5, Carino 4, Nelle 3, Doliguez 3, Soberano 3, Etrata 0, Alfaro 0, Noah 0.
MAPUA 60 - Hernandez 16, Lugo 13, Gonzales 11, Bonifacio 7, Bunag 4, Gamboa 4, Victoria 2, Serrano 2, Salenga 1, Jabel 0.
Quarters: 16-16, 30-28, 49-45, 69-60
Third Game
SAN SEBASTIAN 85 -- Bulanadi 22, Calma 17, Ilagan 12, Desoyo 8, Capobres 6, Cosari 5, Villapando 4, Tero 3, Dela Cruz 2, Sumoda 2, Isidro 2, Calahat 2, Altamirano 0.
ARELLANO 79 -- Salado 13, Arana 13, Bayla 12, Sablan 9, Oliva 9, Talampas 5, Gayosa 5, Sacramento 5, Concepcion 4, Espiritu 2, De Guzman 2, Alcoriza 0, Segura 0, Sunga 0.
Quarters: 24-20, 49-37, 64-54, 85-79. (PNA)
