By Michael Angelo S. Murillo
FOR the third straight year the National Collegiate Athletic Association men’s basketball tournament title is at the hands of the San Beda Red Lions after sweeping the Lyceum Pirates anew with a 71-56 Game Two victory in their best-of-three finals series on Monday at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Needing to win just one more game following their 73-60 victory in the series-opener on Nov. 6, the Lions did not let the grand opportunity pass and went for the finals closeout yesterday.
They did so by proving to be the steadier team even in the face of the stiff challenge posted by the Pirates, who welcomed back erstwhile suspended top player CJ Perez.
It mark the second straight year that San Beda swept Lyceum in the NCAA Finals.
Led by their respective stars, the two teams came out swinging to begin the contest.
Robert Bolick and Javee Mocon jump-started things for the Lions to gain early control.
But the returning Perez would rally the Pirates back and kept the game close, 15-9, midway into the frame.
The protagonists tried to exact control over one another with San Beda eventually beating Lyceum to the draw to claim the upperhand, 23-15, after the first 10 minutes.
The gun-slinging continued in the second quarter.
With its bench rising up, San Beda would stay at a comfortable distance, 31-21, at the five-minute mark.
Jaycee Marcelino managed to push Lyceum to within six points, 34-28, inside three minutes left at the half.
They would not go closer than that though as San Beda hung tough to keep control, 39-33, by the break.
In the third period, Mike Nzeusseu tried to jolt the Pirates offense but the Lions checked them at the onset.
San Beda raced to a double-digit lead anew, 45-35, by the 5:40 mark of the quarter.
Lyceum did not relent in its comeback bid, narrowing its deficit to five points, 49-44, when the third-quarter dust settled.
The Pirates took cue from their strong finish in the third and pushed themselves to within four points, 51-47, early in the fourth period.
But back-to-back triples from Clint Doliguez and Mocon gave the Lions more breathing space, 57-47, with 7:40 to go.
It was a hole that only got deeper for Lyceum as the Lions pounded on their opponents no end and sped to the title after.
Mocon finished with 16 points and 11 rebounds to lead San Beda, which fashioned its third three-peat and notched its 22nd men’s NCAA title.
Doliguez had 14 points while Donald Tankoua ended with 13 points and 16 boards.
Bolick only had four points but dished out 12 assists.
Perez led Lyceum with 19 points while Marcelino had 13 and Nzeusseu 11.
“We are very happy with the win. All the hard work and sacrifices in training and in the games paid off,” a jubilant San Beda coach Boyet Fernandez said in the postgame press conference following their title-clincher.
“Credit to the players and coaching staff for doing a good job,” he added.
INDIVIDUAL AWARDS
Meanwhile, earlier in the day, top individual performers were recognized, led by season host Perpetual Help’s Prince Eze who was named Season 94 most valuable player.
The graduating Altas big man finished with 61.39 statistical points on the strength of season averages of 18.2 points, 16.5 rebounds and 3.3 blocks while helping the Altas to a Final Four finish.
Joining the Nigerian in the mythical five were the Letran Knights’ Bong Quinto (48.83 SPs) and San Beda’s Bolick (48.39), Mocon (47.89) and Tankoua (46.56).
Rookie of the year was Larry Muyang of Letran while most improved player was Archie Concepcion of the Arellano Chiefs.
Eze also led the defensive team, which included Hamadou Laminou of the Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals, Nzeusseu of Lyceum, Michael Calisaan of the San Sebastian Stags and Tankoua.
“I’m very grateful to receive this award. I would like to thank the Perpetual Help community for all the support. Even when we were losing they were with us. Please continue supporting our team,” said Eze in his speech after receiving the MVP award.
