Games Friday
(Ynares Sports Arena, Pasig)
2 p.m. Ateneo vs UST
4 p.m. SSC vs Letran

The San Beda Red Lions bucked the absence of five key players to beat the Mapua Cardinals, 77-75, while Far Eastern University got back at University of the East, 86-85, and barge into the Final Four of the 2009 Philippine Collegiate Champions League Wednesday at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.

Without American import Sudan Daniel (foot) and Borgie Hermida (deep cut above his eye) due various injuries, the Red Lions leaned on veterans Jake Pascual, Bam Gamalinda, and Garvo Lanete to repulse the challenge of the Cardinals and reach the semis.

The Tamaraws, on the other hand, leaned on the heroics of RR Garcia and Aldrech Ramos down the stretch to complete their stirring come-from-behind win.
FEU was beaten twice in a row by UE in the Final Four of the UAAP.

After Garcia put the Tamaraws in front, 86-85, the 6-foot-7 Ramos blocked a possible winning shot by Paul Lee to seal the win for the Tamaraws.

San Beda will face either Ateneo or University of Santo Tomas in the semis. The Eagles, the two-time defending UAAP champions and Tigers clash on Friday.

“We’re just lucky to be here (in the Final Four),” said Frankie Lim. “Despite being shorthanded, we were able to make some stops in the end.”
Pascual finished with 19 points and 12 rebounds, five of them offensively, while Gamalinda had another double-double with 17 points and 16 rebounds.  Lanete added 15 points.

San Beda also got a huge lift from seldom-used Melo Lim, who didn’t disappoint his father by making five consecutive points for a 72-68 lead with 3:21 left to play. He finished with seven points.

The Cardinals managed to rally within 75-77 and had the chance to win the game with a three-point shot but Macky Acosta’s three-point attempt on the last play didn’t even hit the net.

Allan Mangahas finished with 17 points, 10 rebounds and six assists with Guillermo adding 14 points and six assists in a losing cause. (Tempo Sports)

The scores:
First Game:
SAN BEDA 77 – Pascual 19, Gamalinda 17, Lanete 15, dela Rosa 9, Lim 7, Villanueva 6, Solera 2, Caram 2, Soliman 0, Tecson 0.
MAPUA 75 – Mangahas 17, Guillermo 14, Ranises 9, Sarangay 7, Cornejo 7, Acosta 7, Parala 6, Stevens 5, Pascual 3, Cinco 0.
Quarters: 14-16; 31-33; 51-50; 77-75.

Second Game:
FEU 86 – Cawaling 25, Sanga 20, Cervantes 12, Garcia 12, Ramos 9, Vinluan 4, Exciminiano 2, Knuttel 2, Noundou 2, Manalo 0.
UE 85 – Acuña 19, Lee 18, Llagas 15, Espiritu 14, Zamar 8, Flores 7, Sumido 4, Noble 0, Ayala 0, Duran 0, Reyes 0.
Quarters: 17-23; 49-40; 64-61; 86-85.