By Michael Angelo S. Murillo
THE National Collegiate Athletic Association championship rematch pitting the defending champions San Beda Red Lions against the Lyceum Pirates begins today with Game One of the best-of-three Season 94 final series.
Set for 4 p.m. at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City, the Lions are looking to double up on the Pirates while the latter gun to rebound following their defeat in the finals last year.
The two teams ended first and second, respectively, at the end of the two-round elimination play with records of 17-1 and 15-3.
They made short work of their respective opponents in the Final Four, finding no need to use their twice-to-beat advantage in the semifinals.
San Beda eliminated season hosts Perpetual Help Altas, 83-72, in the semis joust while Lyceum gave the boot to the Letran Knights, 109-85.
Leading the three-peat-seeking Lions are the veteran triumvirate of Robert Bolick, Donald Tankoua and Javee Mocon.
Bolick has been good for 16.8 points, 5.4 rebounds and 4.8 assists per game while Tankoua is churning out a near double-double of 13.1 points and 9.8 rebounds.
Mocon, too, has been steady for 12.8 points, 9.6 rebounds and 2.3 assists.
As a team, San Beda is tops in defense, allowing just 62.7 points per contest, while it is in the top half in the league in offense with an average of 77.2 points (fourth).
It is in top in rebounding as well with 48.7 boards per game.
The Lions are gunning for their 22nd NCAA men’s basketball title and 11th in 13 years.
While they have positioned themselves well in winning another title in the country’s longest-standing collegiate league, San Beda coach Boyet Fernandez knows all too well that their work is not yet done and that they are expecting another tough challenge from Lyceum, which they swept in the finals of Season 93.
“Our job is not yet done. We still have a title to defend against Lyceum. But we’re happy to be back in the finals,” said Mr. Fernandez after clinching a finals berth.
“Lyceum now has a playoff experience and we have to be ready for them,” he added.
NOT THE PAYBACK ANGLE
While they rued the missed opportunity last season to win their first-ever NCAA title after going undefeated in the elimination round, the Pirates are not necessarily rallying behind the payback cause but more on showing improvement and “inspiring others.”
“It’s really a blessing to be back in the finals. We are not looking at it as revenge but more of an opportunity to inspire others,” said Lyceum coach Topex Robinson after eliminating Letran and making their way back to the finals.
“We’re focusing on ourselves as a team. We do not pay much attention on who we will face in the finals. It is important we stick together and play our game. Trusting each other as well,” he added.
Leading the charge of the Pirates is reigning league most valuable player CJ Perez with steady all-around numbers of 18.7 points, 8.2 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 3.3 steals.
Big man Mike Nzeusseu has been good for 14.2 points, 10 rebounds and 1.9 blocks while Jaycee Marcelino is averaging 13.4 points, 4.7 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.7 steals per contest.
The Pirates are the top offensive team in the league with an average of 87.7 points while third in defense, allowing 75.3 points.
They are number two in assists (19.4 dimes) and fourth in rebounds (46 boards).
In their season series so far, the Lions and Pirates have split things up with the latter taking the first encounter, 73-66, and the former bouncing back, 75-68, in the second.
