Experience. Poise. Composure and Drive.
Those are what drove the San Beda Red Lions to another victory and eventually their fourth straight title in the NCAA after edging Letran, 60-56 in Game 3 of the Finals of Season 89 at the jam -packed Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Arthur Dela Cruz, who is coming off a 23-point explosion paced the Red Lions with 20 points and 16 rebounds. The former San Beda Red Cub standout was also adjudged as the Finals MVP.
Letran was on the verge of snatching away the final game of the season as well as the championship after trailing the Red Lions by just two, 56-58 with less than a minute left.
As Kevin Racal drove to the baseline, Ola Adeogun, San Beda’s prized center went sky high for a monster block that made Racal’s floater crashing back to earth.
A costly turnover down the stretch almost caused the game for the Red Lions with Racal getting the leather but Dela Cruz came to the rescue for the counter steal.
The former Sta. Lucia stalwart in the PBA and now Red Lions head coach Boyet Fernandez, took over the chores left behind by Ronnie Magsanoc after winning San Beda’s third straight title last season. Fernandez was already a team consultant last year and already knew the capabilities and talents of the team members.
It was not until the fourth period during crunchtime when the San Beda started to act and play like three -time champions.
Even the inspired games from Ford Ruaya and Rey Nambatac to support Raymond Almazan and Mark Cruz could not stop the domination of the Red Lions.
It was San Beda’s seventh championship title in the last 8 years dating back from 2006. Their only runner-up finish was in 2009 when San Sebastian, led by Jimbo Aquino, Ian Sangalang, Ronald Pascual and Calvin Abueva snapped San Beda’s streak to just three.
The Red Lions could have achieved a four peat then but God had other plans for them.
The 22-year-old Adeogun had 17 points, 13 boards, two assists, one steal and four monster blocks across his name.
Just like in Game 2 which they lost, Adeogun struggled again in the first half. Fernandez never got tired of encouraging his ward.
Adeogun, who felt that it’s been physical all series long was just happy all their hard work paid off.
Sophomore Dela Cruz, who has a bright future ahead of him with 2 years of eligibility left is thahnkful for the trust that Coach Boyet Fernandez gave them amidst errors.
Dela Cruz is confident that this will not be his last championship with the squad.
The son of former San Miguel player in the pros Arthur Dela Cruz was commended well by Fernandez.
Team captain Rome Dela Rosa bade his collegiate career goodbye but not without a bang and a championship. He finished with six points and five rebounds across his name.
Dela Rosa, another second generation player trying to mark in the hoops scene started his career with San Beda in 2009, the year San Sebastian momentarily interrupted San Beda’s domination in the league. The next four years was a different story as the San Diego -raised forward went on to pile up championship titles one after the other.
This year’s Game 3 of the finals had an almost perfect ending for Letran. In last year’s rubber match, the Knights were sorely crushed by the Red Lions, 39-67.
Letran’s four -point loss today somehow shouted that they learned from their mistakes and that they made big adjustments. However, it was not enough to match or surpass the deep bench of San Beda.
Rookie coach Caloy Garcia of Letran, who has one more year left in his contract left the venue shortly after the game to catch his flight going to Davao to join the Rain or Shine Elastopainters in their season opener against the Alaska Aces tomorrow.
Joining Garcia is the third overall pick Almazan, who will right away join the pros tomorrow.
The Most Valuable Player, Defensive Player and Mythical team member finished his collegiate career with 14 points, 11 rebounds and four blocks across his name in his last game with a Letran jersey.
Almazan is the only legit center in the Letran roster. The Knights will have to find a suitable and worth replacement who can fill in the shoes left behind by the Bataan native.
The Red Lions will not have their usual victory celebration of a bonfire and street party in Mendiola. As a united country, San Beda will just celebrate their victory with a mass and a simple dinner. Instead, they will extend help and donations to the victims of supertyphoon “Yolanda” last week. JMP
Those are what drove the San Beda Red Lions to another victory and eventually their fourth straight title in the NCAA after edging Letran, 60-56 in Game 3 of the Finals of Season 89 at the jam -packed Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Arthur Dela Cruz, who is coming off a 23-point explosion paced the Red Lions with 20 points and 16 rebounds. The former San Beda Red Cub standout was also adjudged as the Finals MVP.
Letran was on the verge of snatching away the final game of the season as well as the championship after trailing the Red Lions by just two, 56-58 with less than a minute left.
As Kevin Racal drove to the baseline, Ola Adeogun, San Beda’s prized center went sky high for a monster block that made Racal’s floater crashing back to earth.
A costly turnover down the stretch almost caused the game for the Red Lions with Racal getting the leather but Dela Cruz came to the rescue for the counter steal.
The former Sta. Lucia stalwart in the PBA and now Red Lions head coach Boyet Fernandez, took over the chores left behind by Ronnie Magsanoc after winning San Beda’s third straight title last season. Fernandez was already a team consultant last year and already knew the capabilities and talents of the team members.
It was not until the fourth period during crunchtime when the San Beda started to act and play like three -time champions.
Even the inspired games from Ford Ruaya and Rey Nambatac to support Raymond Almazan and Mark Cruz could not stop the domination of the Red Lions.
It was San Beda’s seventh championship title in the last 8 years dating back from 2006. Their only runner-up finish was in 2009 when San Sebastian, led by Jimbo Aquino, Ian Sangalang, Ronald Pascual and Calvin Abueva snapped San Beda’s streak to just three.
The Red Lions could have achieved a four peat then but God had other plans for them.
The 22-year-old Adeogun had 17 points, 13 boards, two assists, one steal and four monster blocks across his name.
Just like in Game 2 which they lost, Adeogun struggled again in the first half. Fernandez never got tired of encouraging his ward.
Adeogun, who felt that it’s been physical all series long was just happy all their hard work paid off.
Sophomore Dela Cruz, who has a bright future ahead of him with 2 years of eligibility left is thahnkful for the trust that Coach Boyet Fernandez gave them amidst errors.
Dela Cruz is confident that this will not be his last championship with the squad.
The son of former San Miguel player in the pros Arthur Dela Cruz was commended well by Fernandez.
Team captain Rome Dela Rosa bade his collegiate career goodbye but not without a bang and a championship. He finished with six points and five rebounds across his name.
Dela Rosa, another second generation player trying to mark in the hoops scene started his career with San Beda in 2009, the year San Sebastian momentarily interrupted San Beda’s domination in the league. The next four years was a different story as the San Diego -raised forward went on to pile up championship titles one after the other.
This year’s Game 3 of the finals had an almost perfect ending for Letran. In last year’s rubber match, the Knights were sorely crushed by the Red Lions, 39-67.
Letran’s four -point loss today somehow shouted that they learned from their mistakes and that they made big adjustments. However, it was not enough to match or surpass the deep bench of San Beda.
Rookie coach Caloy Garcia of Letran, who has one more year left in his contract left the venue shortly after the game to catch his flight going to Davao to join the Rain or Shine Elastopainters in their season opener against the Alaska Aces tomorrow.
Joining Garcia is the third overall pick Almazan, who will right away join the pros tomorrow.
The Most Valuable Player, Defensive Player and Mythical team member finished his collegiate career with 14 points, 11 rebounds and four blocks across his name in his last game with a Letran jersey.
Almazan is the only legit center in the Letran roster. The Knights will have to find a suitable and worth replacement who can fill in the shoes left behind by the Bataan native.
The Red Lions will not have their usual victory celebration of a bonfire and street party in Mendiola. As a united country, San Beda will just celebrate their victory with a mass and a simple dinner. Instead, they will extend help and donations to the victims of supertyphoon “Yolanda” last week. JMP
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