THE San Beda Red Lions returned to the summit of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) yesterday as they beat the Arellano Chiefs, 83-73, in Game Two of their best-of-three finals that notched for them a 20th NCAA title.
Earned a cushion after taking the series opener, the Mendiola-based Lions did not waste time to claim the crown for Season 92, further solidifying their standing as kings of men’s seniors basketball in the country’s longest-standing collegiate league.
Boosted by their strong outside shooting in the opening half, that had them connecting 50% of their three-pointers (7-of-14), the Lions kept in step with the Chiefs and eventually overtake the latter to take a 45-40 lead at halftime.
San Beda saw a tougher challenge from Arellano in the third canto but managed to still hang on and hold a 63-60 advantage.
In the fourth period, Davon Potts starred for the Lions to fend off the Chiefs, scattering triples, including one inside the last two minutes to extend their lead to five, 78-73.
Arellano tried to rally back thereafter but San Beda would not allow it en route to the win.
Arnaud Noah led the way for San Beda with 18 points and 11 rebounds. He was later named finals most valuable player.
AC Soberano had 16 points while Robert Bolick had 13.
Jayvee Mocon and Potts had 10 each.
Jalalon led Arellano with 19 points, seven rebounds and 10 assists before fouling out.
“We just came into the game hungrier. We kept our focus and control the things we can control,” said Lions captain Dan Sara as he described the mind-set they had entering the game.
San Beda’s latest title conquest is the 20th for the school, three more than second-running Letran’s 17.
It was also a rebound from its finals lost in Season 91.
Meanwhile, despite his team not advancing to the championship, Mapua Cardinals import Allwell Oraeme was adjudged league most valuable player (MVP) for a second straight year.
Mr. Oraeme, who won the MVP plum last year as a rookie, also bagged the Defensive Player of the Year for the second year in a row after he averaged 16 points, a league fifth-best, a league-best 20 rebounds and 2.4 blocks (second) a game.
He gathered 65.12 MVP statistical points to beat Arellano’s Jalalon who finished with 57.50 points on the strength of averages of 21.1 points (first), six boards, 7.4 assists (first) and 2.3 steals (first).
Joining Oraeme and Jalalon in the Mythical Five selection were Bright Akhuetie of Perpetual Help, Donald Tankoua of San Beda and Hamadou Laminou of Emilio Aguinaldo College.
“I’m thankful of this but it would be more of a blessing for me if we could improve next year,” said the 20-year-old Mr. Oraeme, whose team advanced to the Final Four this season but lost to Arellano in the Final Four.
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