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Red Lions gun for first ever PCCL title, but Green Archers vow to even series

Manila, Philippines-The San Beda College Red Lions celebrate after winning the NCAA title at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay, on 22 October 2014. (Czeasar Dancel/NPPA Images)

In the most competitive Philippine Collegiate Champions League season in recent years, two traditional collegiate basketball giants collide to be hailed this year’s National Collegiate Champions.  One side hopes to end a magical year with another feather in the cap, while the other tries to end its season on a winning note after a disappointing finish in its league.

Five-peat NCAA titlists San Beda Red Lions and defending PCCL champions La Salle Green Archers renew an old rivalry to dispute this year’s crown.  But while the Archers are seeking to win their third PCCL diadem and bounce back after failing to retain the UAAP crown, the Lions are pursuing their first-ever national championship since the inception of the league in 2002.  San Beda bowed to UE in the finals of 2006 and has not returned to dispute the same title until now.  It has three third-place finishes (2009, 2011 and 2012).

The Mendiola-based squad also hopes to be just the second NCAA member to win the prestigious plum after the Calvin Abueva-led San Sebastian Stags did the trick in 2011.

The Red Lions are also looking to wrap up the series on Monday at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City in Game 2 of the best-of-three championship after a scintillating 88-81 triumph in Game 1.

But the Green Archers are expected to come out blazing to force a rubber match on Tuesday.

Game 1 was one of the best collegiate games we saw this year among several great matches.  It was tight all throughout even when the Lions were in the driver’s seat for most of the game.  The contest saw nine lead changes and five deadlocks even when San Beda led by as many as nine points at one point.  It was especially exciting because of the high-scoring affair despite the tough defensive stand of both squads.

It was for me the best game played by the Red Lions this year, as they clearly wanted to win this title so badly after so many failed attempts in the past.  There were so many heroes for the reigning NCAA champs especially from the members of the Hapee Toothpaste squad that had to skip their PBA D-League game versus Cebuana Lhuiller also on the same day.

(Adrian Bautista/NPPA Images)
(Adrian Bautista/NPPA Images)

After a 43-37-halftime lead, the Red Lions struggled in the third period after a fiery start by La Salle and with their centers getting into foul trouble.  Nigerian behemoth Ola Adeogun and Cameroonian rookie Donald Tankoua both picked up their fourth personal fouls forcing interim coach Adonis Tierra to go with a small line-up with Michole Sorela and Arth Dela Cruz manning the post.  This also prompted Tierra to go with a 2-3 zone defense to limit the chances of getting more fouls.

But while San Beda’s zone revealed DLSU’s weakness from the outside, which only hit two out of 13 tries from beyond the arc, the Lions could not contain the strength of Archers Ben Mbala and Abu Tratter inside the paint.  As one of the zone’s weaknesses is its ability to box out, Mbala and Tratter lorded it over the battle of the boards and had a feast with putbacks after a combined nine offensive caroms.  At the end of the third quarter, La Salle was just trailing by two, 59-61.

The payback period told why both schools are the best in the country this year in college hoops.  The intensity was at its highest but the offense peaked up likewise giving the thrilled Ynares Sports Arena crowd a grand time watching.

But after a see-saw encounter in the first five minutes of the quarter, the veterans of San Beda refused to bow down this time after two defeats at the hands of La Salle this year – in the finals of the Fil-Oil Cup and in the semis round of the PCCL.  Sorela and Roldan Sara, both former Green Archers, played the best game of their lives.  Sara scorched the hoop with four of nine treys and finished with 15 markers, while Sorela converted two crucial jumpers in the final few minutes of the game and contributed six points.

But in endgame, it was Baser Amer time.  The seasoned San Beda star foiled several attempts by the Archers to gain the upper hand with clutch baskets including a dagger triple in the last four minutes.  But more than his 19 points, he made two consecutive remarkable passes to Dela Cruz and Adeogun that both recipients turned into precious baskets.  The pride of Davao also had seven assists and three boards.
Adeogun still led the Lions in scoring with 20 markers to go along with seven rebounds and two blocks, while Dela Cruz added 14 points, eight boards and four assists.  Another Hapee stalwart that played big in the game is veteran forward Jaypee Mendoza, who came out with several defensive gems aside from chipping in eight points and eight rebounds for San Beda.

In contrast, it was the rookies that carried most of the fight for the Green Archers as both Jeron Teng and Thomas Torres struggled from the field with only nine and eight markers respectively.

(Adrian Bautista/NPPA Images)
(Adrian Bautista/NPPA Images)

Mbala proved why he is the most awaited newcomer in the UAAP next season as he sizzled with 26 points and 14 rebounds.  The Cameroonian sensation was just too athletic and quick, making him a gigantic defensive headache for any team, including the NCAA’s top defensive unit – the Red Lions.  Since the foreign players started arriving in the country in 2005 until now, I would say Mbala is the only one good enough to suit up in the PBA as an import. This is because at 6’6”, he can play the small forward position.

Kib Montalbo and Prince Rivero combined for 25 markers, while fellow rookie Tratter finished with 10 points, six boards and three assists.

In Game 2, we can expect Teng, Mbala and Torres to lead the charge for La Salle.  And if the rookies will step up once more, the Archers are going to be tough to beat a second straight time.

But the Red Lions expect a good fight from La Salle.  They are determined to put a stamp on the tournament in Game 2 and finally capture a title that has eluded them so many times.

We can expect also both coaches Tierra and Juno Sauler to come up with surprise strategies in this encounter.

This game set at 4pm also at the Ynares Sports Arena is expected to go down the wire.