San Beda College is on its way on fulfilling its destiny to become a dynasty, overcoming Colegio de San Juan de Letran, 76-64, for the Red Lions’ second consecutive NCAA seniors basketball diadem on September 26 at the Araneta Coliseum.
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With Letran coming within five late in the third quarter, the Lions held off the Knights in the payoff period with Rogemar Menor scoring 12 points. His three-point attempt that bounced off the rim before going in gave San Beda a 13-point lead, 64-51, 6:45 in the game, forcing CSJL seniors basketball coach Louie Alas to call a timeout.
The finals MVP stole one at midcourt for an uncontested layup, which spawned a 7-0 run to put away the game for good with John Paul Escobal putting the icing with two freethrows against Reymar Gutilban's fifth personal foul, 71-55, 4:16.
"It feels great and very rewarding. I have to give it to the players. They have confidence at may puso," sighed a relieved SBC men's basketball mentor Frankie Lim. "Do no doubt yourself. Kung gusto niyong tumira, take good shots."
Alas concurred, "We just lost to a very strong team. You have to give it to them. Napakalakas ng kanilang personnel. Sa aking opinyon, sila ang strongest collegiate team sa Pilipinas."
Menor, who won two finals MVP and a season MVP as a Red Cub, was the main Lion with 25 points on 11/16 shooting along with three rebounds, two steals, and two assists.
"Hell of a player. No one in Letran can stop Menor," Lim described his third year star.
"Sobrang saya. Naulit ulit iyong dynasty namin sa juniors," Menor, who was with the NCAA juniors champion teams from 2003-2005, observed on his fortunes. "Iyong juniors lamang daw ako (skills-wise). Sa seniors, pantay na labanan."
Yousif Aljamal suited up for his final game as an amateur, finishing with 24 points, ten boards, three feeds, two steals, and two blocks on 37 well-played minutes.
"Kay coach inoffer ang championship," Aljamal shared. The 24-year old would again team up with his current mentor, who is also the team manager of the Talk 'N Text Phonepals in the PBA. "Sana madala ko sa PBA ito (confidence)."
"It would always be nice to get back to your alma mater. I want to give back to the school," the rookie guru said. "I am just blessed to have 15 intelligent players."
The red and white shot 52% at the two-point area, while also amassing 50 caroms, 20 dimes, seven cookies, nine rejections, 16 fastbreak points, and 19 turnover points.
"This victory is for everybody," Lim doled out. "For the Bedan community and the supporters."
On the other hand, Bryan Faundo led the Knights with 17 points and ten rebounds, while RJ Jazul netted 14 markers. As a team, the red and blue made 35% of their field goals.
"You have to feel good on the defeat," Alas opined. "I will remember this day. This is the defining moment to come back next year."
Lim, who experienced back-to-back championships as a player and now as a tactician stated, "Both are great. Since this is my first time as a coach, this is sweeter."
Alas looked back, "Iyong game one ang crucial. Sa ganyang kalakas na team, mahirap talunin ng back-to-back."
This is the Lions' 13th seniors cage crown, just behind the 15 of Letran College.
Adjudged as the coach of the year, the fiery Lim gave what might have been the strangest description of how it feels winning a championship after he was asked what his emotions were after getting the victory ride at the buzzer, "Feeling ko parang akong bagong kasal."
Meanwhile, Alas described the mood in the locker, "Malungkot sila for Mikko (Quinday)."
Quinday used up his eligibility this year.
Do-it-all Mapua Institute of Technology point guard Kelvin dela Peña was awarded the MVP of the season. He was joined by Aljamal, Faundo, Dino Daa, and Marvin Hayes of Jose Rizal University in the mythical team.
Other awardees include Hayes as most improved player, Dave Marcelo as rookie of the year, and Jason Ballesteros of San Sebastian College Recoletos as defensive player of the year.
Rey Dangcal's split at the trip 3:56 of the first quarter was the last time CSJL enjoyed the upper hand before SBC released a 15-0 finishing kick with Riego Gamalinda scoring the last six points, 26-12.
"We started strong," Lim remarked as the key point of the contest. "We tried to match the intensity of Letran."
Faundo's charities off a Menor personal made it 24-34, 4:16 in the second. Menor was responsible for five points in a 7-0 mini-run to give the Mendiola-based squad its highest lead of 17.
After Escobal launched a three to make it 52-35 midway of the third period, Letran had a quiet 12-0 blast with Jazul starting the rally and the Muralla-based gallery momentarily waking up when John Melegrito scored four quick points, 1:38 in the clock. The Lions doused the fire in the succeeding possession when Escobal sighted Aljamal at the apex of the arc for a triple with just one second remaining in the shot clock.
"Definitely we will not look for a foreigner as long as ako ang mag-decide," Alas glimpsed ahead. "Pwede sa akin Fil-foreigner."
As for the champs, Lim mentioned, "Pahinga muna. Give them a good rest."
