San Beda holds off DLSU to take 1-0 PCCL Finals lead

MANILA, Philippines – Relentlessly, the De La Salle University Green Archers kept coming for the San Beda Red Lions and their lead, unwilling to give in.

But by the end of Game 1 of the 2014 Philippine Collegiate Champions League (PCCL) Finals, it was the championship experience and clutch play of the NCAA’s rulers that prevailed.

With critical shots from their two main bigs and quality defense down the stretch, San Beda came away with a 88-81 victory over La Salle on Thursday evening, November 27, at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.

Game 2 of the best-of-three finals is scheduled on Monday, 4 pm, at the same venue.

Ola Adeogun impressed for the Red Lions, the five-time defending NCAA champions, by finishing with 20 points (7-of-10 shooting), 8 rebounds, and 2 blocks. Art Dela Cruz, who along with Adeogun hit the two game-sealing shots late in the fourth quarter, put up 14 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals in his third straight double-digit scoring game.

Baser Amer also played well, registering 19 points, 7 assists, and 3 rebounds. Former La Salle recruit Dan Sara stepped up as well with 15 points on 4-of-9 shooting from 3-point range against his former team.

The lead ballooned to nine in the fourth quarter as San Beda extended their lead to 74-63. However, DLSU countered right away by turning to incoming UAAP rookie Ben Mbala, who scored six straight points.

Both teams then exchanged baskets, with the Red Lions increasing their lead to five with a little over two minutes to go. Moments after Adeogun and Mbala exchanged blocks, Jeron Teng hit only his second basket of the day to cut the Red Lions’ lead to three.

A put-back off a missed free throw by Mbala then cut DLSU’s deficit to one, but he was quickly countered by a basket from Dela Cruz. After Mbala traveled during the subsequent play, Adeogun hit the dagger of Game 1 with a shot in the block.

La Salle had another opportunity to cut the lead with 46 seconds to go, but Thomas Torres missed two triples, paving the way for the Red Lions to seal the contest at the charity stripe.

Mbala led DLSU with 26 points (on 11-of-14 shooting), 14 rebounds, and 4 blocks. Third year guard Kib Montalbo contributed 13 points, 5 assists, and 4 rebounds, while Prince Rivero had 12 points and 7 boards. Starting center Abu Tratter put up 10 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals.

The win snapped SBC’s two-game losing streak against DLSU dating back to the finals of the 2014 Hanes Flying V FilOil preseason tournament.

– Rappler.com