BY CHRISTINE MONCADA
USING its height advantage to the hilt, defending champion
San Beda College dominated the boards and whipped University of Perpetual Help
yesterday 70-47 to gain a piece of the lead in the 84th NCAA men's basketball
tournament at the Astrodome.
The Red Lions hauled down 55 rebounds, 18 of them in offense,
and used this as a springboard in notching their fifth straight victory that
catapulted them to a share of the lead with idle Letran.
Last week, the Lions hauled down a season-high 70 boards
against the College of St. Benilde Blazers.
"We have regained our strength, which is rebounding," said
San Beda coach Frankie Lim. "It's always good when we dominate the boards
because this allows us to do many things in offense."
Borgie Hermida finished with a game-high 18 points, five
rebounds, eight assists and five steals in 25 minutes of action while Pong
Escobal had 13 points, six rebounds and seven assists.
Nigerian behemoth Sam Ekwe scored only eight points but made
the most damage in rebounding, collaring down 20 caroms.
In the other seniors' game, San Sebastian leaned on the
steady hands of veteran Jim Viray to eking out a 71-64 win over Philippine
Christian University.
Viray had 23 points and nine rebounds as the Stags snapped a
two-game skein and tied idle College of St. Benilde Blazers for fifth spot at
2-4.
The Dolphins, who were paced by slotman Beau Belga with 20
points and 10 rebounds, dropped to 1-5.
Ronald Reyes and Mike Kong scored 13 points each for the
Altas who absorbed their sixth consecutive loss since winning their opening-day
game.
With the Altas failing to come up with a good defense in the paint, the Lions
surged to a 24-9 lead after the first quarter. The Altas opened the second
period with a searing 13-0 run to trim the gap to 22-24 with a minute and 46
seconds.
