LIONS WIN ROUND ONE OF FINALS
Three-year veteran Pong Escobal, rookie guard Jake Pascual and diminitive Borgie Hermida worked on a fiery offensive thrust in the crucial stretch to lead the three-peat seeking Red Lions to victory.
San Beda, proud owners of 13 NCAA titles, guns for the title in Game 2 tomorrow at the Big Dome.
"We got big shots from Pong (Escobal), Borgie (Hermida) and Jake (Pascual). They delivered as expected especially in those streaks when we were struggling hard," said San Beda coach Frankie Lim.
"It was about making those shots. Whatever you do, despite having set plays but in the end it boils down on who can make the shots in the crucial stretch," added Lim.
The win was not, however easy for the Red Lions despite leading by as many as 13 points, 37-24 with 2:54 in the second quarter.
The Heavy Bombers, who are aiming to end a long 36-year title drought, cameback and cut the deficit to 55-58 with only 6:38 remaining in the match.
"I can't be sure of wrapping the title in the next game because our opponent is a very hungry team and that is enough motivation for them. I'm expecting them to make a strong comeback next time," stressed Lim.
Escobal, picked by Talk 'N Text in the second round of the PBA annual draft last month, topscored for San Beda with 15 points and 5 assists, while Hermida added 14 and 6 rebounds and 2 steals. Season MVP Sam Ekwe added 13.
James Sena led the Heavy Bombers with 19 points, John Wilson finished with 16 and 12 for Marvin Hayes.
In the juniors division, defending titlist San Sebastian Staglets moved just a game away from wrapping their fourth straight title after nipping the Letran Squires, 83-81, to take a 1-0 lead in their best-of-three series.
Raffy Gusi stood tall by scoring the winning basket, nailing a big three-pointer late in the game.
"We have rested for two weeks prior to the championship. That's why, my boys played a sluggish game at the start. It was good Raffy Gusi came to the rescue when we needed it most in the crucial stretch," said Staglets coach Raymund Valenzona.
After sweeping the two-round elimination, the Staglets started slow that allowed the Squires to take a 3-point advantage, 76-73, with only three minutes remaining in the match.
Yutien Andrada and Gusi scored a basket each to move the Staglets on top, 77-76, only 2:41 left.
"This is our most diffficult win this season. It was really very close from start to finish. I told Gusi (Raffy) to make the best move and he did. Thanks God," added Valenzona, son of former PBA player Arturo Valenzona.
Meanwhile, Jose Rizal Light Bombers' Keith Jasper Agovida dominated the high school individual awards in a fitting ceremony yesterday.
The 6'1 forward Agovida, who scored an all-time NCAA record 82 points in the Light Bombers' 127-49 win over Mapua Red Robins last Sept. 5, was named Most Valuable Player (MVP), aside from leading the Mythical Five.
He was also voted the juniors' Most Improved Player as well as Defensive Player of the Year.
Also named in the elite First Five were Arvie Bringas of defending champion San Sebastian Staglets, Jarelan Tampus and Glenn Khobuntin of Letran, Martin John Reyes of St. Benilde.
The 6'8 Nigerian Ekwe, formally received his second MVP trophy as he led the Mythical Five along with San Sebastian's Jason Ballesteros, Jose Rizal's Marvin Hayes, Neil Pascual of Mapua and Rafael Jazul of Letran.
Ballesteros was named Defensive Player, while Allan Mangahas bagged the Rookie of the Year. UPHSD Alta's Raffy Ynion took the Most Improved plum.
Scores:
First Game (Jrs)
San Sebastian (83) – Vosotros 22, Bingas 19, Ortuste 16, Gusi 15, Andrada 6, F. Delgado 3, Cam 2, J. Delgado 0, Mamaril 0.
Letran (81) – Sumang 25, Alas 18, Khubuntin 18, Roxas 10, Tampus 10, Ongtengco 0, Satirapan 0, Sugahara 0, Vasig 0, Reys 0.
Quarterscores: 27-27; 45-45; 63-64.
Second Game (Srs)
San Beda (72) – Escobal 15, Hermida 14, Ekwe 13, Menor 7, Taganas 7, Pascual 7, Tirona 5, Gamalinda 2, Marcelo 2, Soliman 0, Taupa 0.
Jose Rizal (68) – Sena 19, Wilson 16, Hayes 12, Nocom 7, Bulangis 6, Pradas 5, Cagoco 3, Neji 0, Agas 0, Almario 0.
Quarterscores: 19-18; 39-31; 55-50; 72-68.
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