San Beda College went alive in the fourth quarter to defeat Colegio de San Juan de Letran and take the first game of the NCAA seniors basketball finals, 76-68, at the Araneta Coliseum on September 19. The Knights settled for freethrows for four minutes of the payoff quarter as SBC released a 10-4 run ending with a Sam Ekwe follow off Ogie Menor’s missed lay, 72-61, :50 left in the game. This was also the biggest lead of the game which featured 11 deadlocks and eight lead changes.
“It was not easy. That is a fact,” relayed San Beda seniors basketball coach Frankie Lim. “We struggled offensively in the first three quarters because of the defense of Letran.”
Menor led the Red Lions with Ogie Menor scoring 23 points on 10/14 shooting on 31 minutes.
“Medyo relax kami,” Menor echoed. “Ginising kami ni coach. Kailangang pantayin namin intensity nila.”
The third year swingman provided the wake up call, driving off two Knights at the middle of the lane. He then followed it up with a three at the top of the key, receiving a handoff and a screen from Borgie Hermida, giving the San Beda gallery a kiss, 58-53, 6:38 of the fourth quarter.
“Kailangan kong itira dahil iyon ang play,” Menor mentioned. “Malaki tiwala ni coach sa akin.”
Pong Escobal produced 17 points, going 6/11, seven rebounds, five assists, and eight turnovers. Ekwe went without rest for 14 markers, 18 boards, and four blocks. Yousif Aljamal made 12.
Four of the five starters logged at least 30 minutes.
“Kung hindi kami nagkaroon ng lapses,” CSJL mentor Louie Alas thought loudly. “Mental lapse lang talaga. Doon kami nag-error.”
RJ Jazul had 17 points, five rebounds, and five miscues. Rey Guevarra was the other double digit scorer for the Muralla-based squad with 11. Bryan Faundo finished with nine and seven boards.
“We just played 36 minutes of good basketball,” Alas philosophized.
Game two of the storied rivalry would be on September 26 at the Big Dome with the third match slated on September 28. It seems that everybody is on the same page on what to expect next week.
“I will be expecting a harder second game next week,” Lim stated.
“Expect ko sa game two mas grabe sa intensity,” Menor concurred.
“We just have to execute 40 minutes,” shared Alas. “We just have to win on Wednesday and everybody’s ballgame na sa third game.”
The first quarter started off on equal footing, having four ties. With both sides working to a 12-all count, the blue and red scorched an 11-2 ram to finish off the final three minutes of the period. Kirk del Rosario fed to Dino Daa, who was free underneath for lay in, :37 in the clock.
The Mendiola side then retaliated with a 16-2 start in the second. Escobal quickly advanced upcourt to avert the pressure then passed off to Menor for a quick release three at the side, 30-25, 3:44.
Scoring became scarce in the third canto as two consecutive Ekwe sky hooks provided the only highlight for the ten-minute period to have the Lions go up, 46-42, 3:53. The last time Letran was ahead, it was from a Jazul inside basket, battling against giants, after grabbing the offensive board, 51-50, one minute elapsed in the final quarter.
Aljamal’s three-pointer at the summit was the battle’s last lead change, 53-51, 8:15.
“Looking at Wednesday, we will go for it,” Lim predicted.
GAME 2 Of the Best of 3 NCAA MENS FINALS! Wednesday, September 26
ARANETA
4pm
SBC(1) vs LC(0)
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