Even with former league Most Valuable Player CJ Perez back for the Lyceum of the Philippines University, the San Beda University Red Lions showed why they are the best collegiate sports program in the country.
Behind the grit of Javee Mocon, the might of Donald Tankoua, and the vision of Robert Bolick, the Red Lions flat out dominated the Pirates – their arch-rivals for the past two years – in a wire-to-wire series, 71-56, to bag their third straight NCAA Seniors Basketball Crown, Monday evening.
Besides this being their third straight crown, San Beda have won their 22nd overall championship in the seniors basketball division and their 11th in the last 13 years. The only championships they missed during that span were aback in 2009 and 2015.
“Masaya ako kasi at least nakuha namin yung championship. At least na-rewardan na yung mga pagod at puyat ng mga players ko,” expressed San Beda head coach Boyet Fernandez, who won his fourth championship. “Masaya! Nagpapasalamat talaga ako sa lahat ng players ko dahil kung hindi dahil sa kanila, hindi kami magthree-three-peat. I would also like to thank all my players.
“Tomorrow, I’ll wake up again looking for another championship,” added Fernandez, who owns a 74-12 record in San Beda.
It was the perfect send-off for Red Lions seniors Bolick, Mocon, Jeramer Cabanag, Joe Presbitero, and Radge Tongco.
The series itself was a show of dominance, as Lyceum never led for one second in the game.
Bolick – who shot just 1-of-11 from the field in the game – made up for his dismal shooting by being the commanding floor general that he is; in the first half alone, he already tallied nine dimes. Moreover, Mocon provided the spark in the game, scoring eight of his 16 points in the opening frame alone.
Mocon was crowned as the Finals Most Valuable Player, as he averaged 15.0 points, 10.5 rebounds, 2.5 blocks, and 2.0 assists in the series.
Still, after falling by as much as 11 points in the first half, Lyceum fought back in the third canto. A triple by Jaycee Marcelino – who was playing without twin Jayvee, as he had suffered a freak injury – sparked a 7-2 run to chop the lead down to four with 8:30 left.
But the Red Lions were not to be denied, as Tankoua and the unheralded Clint Doliguez took turns in exposing Lyceum’s defense, extending San Beda’s lead to as high as 20 points
Donald Tankoua ended up with 14 points and 16 rebounds, while Doliguez added 14 markers.
Tankoua is still unsure whether he will play out his final year of eligibility.
“Actually, it’s really the product of preparation and scouting. We have always been there during the LPU games. I want to see how coach Topex [Robinson] adjusts and how the players play. We played man because I believe we are a good defending team. We want to give LPU a different look just to get them out of their comfort zone,” opined Fernandez.
“We wanted to limit CJ to have a good chance of winning,” the Red Lions coach added.
Lyceum, the perfect foil for San Beda, saw CJ Perez and MJ Ayaay play their final game.
Perez had 19 points to pace Lyceum, while Ayaay added seven boards and four markers.
Marcelino added 13 markers, while Mike Nzeusseu – who is also thinking of ending his collegiate career – had 11 points and 13 rebounds.
The Scores:
SBU 71 — Mocon 16, Doliguez 14, Tankoua 13, Kwekuteye 9, Soberano 8, Oftana 5, Bolick 4, Presbitero 2, Abuda 0, Cabanag 0.
LPU 56 — Perez 19, Jc. Marcelino 13, Nzeusseu 11, Pretta 5, Ayaay 4, Caduyac 2, Serrano 2, Yong 0.
Quarterscores: 23-15, 39-33, 49-44, 71-56.
