Mar Villahermosa (SBC) drives against the defense of Anthony Del Rio (SSC-R) in Game 1 of the NCAA Seniors Basketball Finals. (Andrew James Pamorada/FCF)
GAME WEDNESDAY (October 24, 2011)
Araneta Coliseum
SENIORS: 12:00nn – San Beda vs. San Sebastian (SBC leads series, 1-0)
GAME MONDAY (October 31, 2011)
The Arena in San Juan
JUNIORS: 2:00pm – San Beda vs. Benilde-LSGH (LSGH leads series, 1-0)
San Beda College have closed in to their fifth title in six years following their masterful 75-63 victory over a frustrated San Sebastian College five in Game 1 of the 87th National Collegiate Athletic Association men’s basketball title on Monday at the Araneta Coliseum.
Led by Mar Villahermosa’s breakout game, the Red Lions gain a 1-0 advantage in this best-of-three series in their third consecutive meeting with the Stags in the final round.
Baser Amer (Andrew James Pamorada/FCF)
The 22-year old transferee guard from University of San Jose-Recoletos, playing in his final year of eligibility, burst out with 10 of his 15 points in the pivotal fourth period. Big men Dave Marcelo and Jake Pascual each had 14, with the former also gathering 11 big rebounds to record a double-double output.
In a see-saw battle that saw 14 deadlocks and 8 lead changes throughout the match, it was not surprising to see yet another very physical match that saw bodies sprawled all over the floor and hard fouls being omitted by the officials until a player ends up hitting the deck.
“Again, like the Finals last year, there’s the cheap shots. ‘Di ma-alis sa kanila,” said the feisty Frankie Lim of San Beda, who was slapped with a warning for unsportsmanlike behavior late in the first half. “If they want to play physical, so be it. We’ll play to win.”
Calvin Abueva, who was named as the season MVP in the pre-game festivities, was merited with his first Flagrant (Pen. 1) foul of the season at the 2:59 mark for planting an elbow in Baser Amer’s face. Less than a minute later, head coach Michael “Topex” Robinson was sent to the showers after incurring a disqualifying foul.
The Mendiola-based institution seeks to annex their 16th men’s title overall, a league-leading record in which they will share with Colegio de San Juan de Letran, with a win in their Wednesday showdown at high noon.
Earlier, Benilde-La Salle Greenhills continue to make history by recording their first Finals victory at the expense of San Beda, 85-82, behind a raucous community of green and white supporters.
With both Embons Bonleon and Thomas Torres playing at sub-par levels through most of the match, it was up to forwards Jon Villaruz and Andre Paras to step up in the pivotal second half with 22 and 13 points respectively. Torres, who started the game waxing hot with 10 points, wound up with a total of 14.
By bringing down the curtain on the Red Cubs’ 18-game winning streak, the Greenies knot the virtual best-of-five series at 1-1, paving the way for a best-of-three finals in the two-headed race for the juniors title.
BOX SCORES – JUNIORS
BENILDE-LSGH (85): Villaruz 22, Torres 14, Paras 13, Bonleon 9, Vito 8, Sta. Clara 7, Laigo 7, Barrera 3, Ramilo 2, Yap 0, Mercado 0, Marcial 0
SAN BEDA (82): Patenio 19, Abatayo 16, Nazareno 11, Bonsubre 10, Abarcar 7, Tolentino 6, Tongco 4, Munsayac 4, Babilonia 3, Dela Costa 2, Miranda 0, Macapayag 0
Quarters: 20-10, 41-38, 63-62, 85-82
BOX SCORES – SENIORS
SAN BEDA (75): Villahermosa 15, Marcelo 14, J. Pascual 14, Dela Rosa 11, Amer 9, Lanete 6, A. Semerad 4, Caram 2, D. Semerad 0, K. Pascual 0
SAN SEBASTIAN (63): Pascual 14, Abueva 12, Antipuesto 11, Sangalang 10, J. Dela Cruz 7, Del Rio 5, Miranda 2, Vitug 2, Maiquez 0, Balucanag 0
Quarters: 20-20, 35-38, 52-52, 75-63
