In a fitting ending for the longest collegiate basketball season in history, San Beda College ended its National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Season 89 campaign with a historic four-peat and their seventh crown in eight seasons.
Ola Adeogun and sophomore guard Yvan Ludovice registered crucial defensive stops in the endgame while second-generation star Arthur de la Cruz shined anew as the Red Lions walloped bitter rivals Colegio de San Juan de Letran in Game Three of the finals, 60-56, at a capacity Mall of Asia crowd on Saturday.
With ten seconds left, Adeogun blocked Kevin Racal’s floater while Ludovice saved the Red Lions’ almost-botched inbound with eight seconds left, which were enough to stop the Knights from chasing San Beda’s 58-56 lead.
Adeogun’s free throws sealed the deal for the Red Lions with 1.7 seconds left. Prior to the windup, it was de la Cruz who sank a splendid fadeaway jumper from 18 feet in a one-on-one against Ford Ruaya for a 57-54 lead with a minute left in the season.
With the win, the Red Lions won its 18th seniors basketball crown, just two ahead of the Knights.
“What a run, what a ride,” said San Beda head coach Boyet Fernandez, winning his first NCAA crown in his first season as head coach.
“When Ola blocked that shot, I thought that was it, San Beda’s gonna win it,” he continued.
De la Cruz, named finals most valuable player, attributed the win to their defensive matchups and zone defense as the keys to the win.
“I think we made good complements and we really helped each other on defense. When we played 2-3 [zone], they (Letran) had a hard time executing their offense,” said de la Cruz, who normed a 17 points per game average in the finals.
The game started lethargically for both teams but de la Cruz found his groove in the first quarter, scoring seven of San Beda’s 14 points in the quarter.
It was a Letran show in the next quarter as they surged with their open-court offense as the 5’4″ Mark Cruz scored eight points, including a putback against Adeogun’s defense, for a 30-24 halftime lead.
It was a tit-for-tat affair in the third quarter as de la Cruz and Adeogun lorded the post while their defense forced Letran to shoot and miss from outside.
Almazan was also hobbled with his fourth foul midway in the quarter but rookie Rey Nambatac sizzled for eight points to keep the Knights within for a 42-45 third quarter deficit.
It was still a see-saw battle in the final ten minutes as the Red Lions still went to de la Cruz and Adeogun while the Knights sank crucial mid-range jumpers, as these were the only shots allowed by San Beda’s defense.
After de la Cruz’s jumper with 63 seconds left, Letran’s final stand came from an open jumper by Ruaya off a Cruz assist to come within one, 56-57.
In the ensuing play, Cruz faltered when he fouled Ludovice’s attempt even if the Knights were still far from penalty.
Ludovice made him pay by splitting his free throws for a one-possession lead, and in the ensuing play, Adeogun did his job on defense while Ludovice held his own by counter-hustling Letran in San Beda’s court all the way for the championship.
De la Cruz finished the game supreme with 17 points and 16 rebounds while Adeogun tallied 17 point, 13 rebounds, and four blocks to lead San Beda.
The Knights, runners-up for the second straight season, were led by the pro-bound Almazan with 14 points, 11 rebounds, and four blocks while Cruz logged in 10 points, nine rebounds, and five assists.
Meanwhile, Fernandez announced that San Beda’s bonfire celebration will be held on November 22 in the Mendiola campus, which will also serve as a benefit for the survivors of Typhoon Yolanda.
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