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MANILA, Philippines – The San Beda Red Lions knew their game against the National University Bulldogs on Monday, November 24, was more than just a typical matchup in the Elite Eight round of the 2014 Philippine Collegiate Champions League (PCCL) tournament.
It was the battle between the two champions of the premier collegiate basketball leagues in the Philippines, and the defending champions of the NCAA made sure that they had the last laugh as they came away with a 75-62 victory at the Ynares Sports Arena.
Ola Adeogun finished with 20 points on 9-of-13 shooting and 10 rebounds, while Art Dela Cruz put up 18 points and 10 boards for San Beda, who rallied from a 10-point deficit in the first half.
“It’s the UAAP champion against the five-peat champion of the NCAA,” acting San Beda head coach Adonis Tierra said after the game, referring to the weight surrounding the game.
He also mentioned that one of the university’s fathers, Father Raphael Aralas, visited the team prior the match to talk about the significance of going up against the Bulldogs and how it wasn’t just an ordinary contest.
“‘It’s against the UAAP champion… You have to play with pride and heart,'” Father Aralas said, according to Coach Tierra.
Gelo Alolino finished with 16 points, 2 rebounds, and 2 assists to lead the Bulldogs. He did most of his damage in the second quarter, where he scored eight straight points during a stretch to give his club a 40-34 lead entering the half.
But from the third quarter onwards, it was all San Beda as the Red Lions limited their opponents to 22 points in the second half – including just six in the third period.
The Bulldogs looked like they were going to go on a late run with 3:30 to go after an Alolino layup on the break cut San Beda’s lead to 9, 65-56.
However, a few possessions later, an offensive foul was called on NU big man Alfred Aroga in the post that halted his team’s momentum. Dela Cruz and Adeogun then combined for six of the game’s next eight points to seal the win for the Red Lions.
Aroga finished with 14 points and 9 rebounds, but had 5 turnovers. Troy Rosario put up 8 points but shot just 3-of-9 from the field.
NU shot 46% from the field but had no answer for SBC, who made 51% of their attempts. The Red Lions also dominated the rebounding battle, 41-28, and had more assists, 20-11.
The loss dropped NU, who’s in Group A, to 1-2 in the Elite Eight round, putting them out of the picture of making it to the finals. San Beda, who’s in Group B, improves to 2-1 and will aim to finish their campaign at 3-1 with a win over the Arellano Chiefs on Tuesday, November 25.
The Chiefs were the same squad the Red Lions conquered for their fifth straight title in the recent men’s basketball finals of the NCAA’s 90th season.
The Bulldogs, on the other hand, will be back in action on Tuesday when they take on the FEU Tamaraws in a rematch of the UAAP men’s basketball finals.
Scores:
SBC (75): Adeogun 20, Dela Cruz 18, Amer 8, Mendoza 6, Sara 5, Tankoua 5, Mocon 5, Koga 4, Sorela 2, Presbitero 2, Cabanag 0, Soberano 0.
NU (62): Alolino 16, Aroga 14, Rosario 8, Alejandro 7, Diputado 7, Javelona 6, Khobuntin 2, Perez 2, Salim 0, Neypes 0, Tansingco 0, Betayene 0, Celda 0.
Quarter scores: 17-17, 34-40, 55-46, 75-62.
– Rappler.com
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