Going into the NCAA Season 93 Seniors Basketball Finals, the talk of the town was the Lyceum Pirates and how they had made the biggest turnaround in league history — going from ninth place to the final dance in just a year. Moreover, the Pirates were the unstoppable force, living by the mantra of inspiring others.
But the defending champions San Beda College showed why they have been the immovable object in the NCAA for the last 12 years, taking Game One from Lyceum, 94-87.
“Sinabi namin, this is the finals. This is a test of character,” said Mocon, who finished the game with 11 points, nine rebounds, and three blocks. “We’d like to show everybody na, sinasabi nila na Lyceum has all the heart.
“We want to show na mas malaki ang heart namin because we’re the champions.”
The Red Lions had been down by as much as 12 points in the third frame. Moreover, Mocon the fourth-year forward was limited to just five points during the first 30 minutes of the game.
“Bad game ako. Hats off to Robert [Bolick] and Donald [Tankoua]. They played phenomenal. Tsaka sa mga nag-step up, sila Franz Abuda, Clint Doliguez, they stepped up, and I’m grateful for them and credit goes to my teammates,” added Mocon, who came alive in the final frame.
Still, San Beda’s championship poise showed down the stretch.
“We want to show everybody na we’re the best team. Lahat pinaguusapan sila. Kami low-key lang. We want to show everybody na di kami mag-backdown kahit na-sweep nila ang eliminations,” the San Beda lifer shared.
And come Game Two, Mocon plans to sweep Pirates to get back at the two losses Lyceum handed them back in the elimination round.
“Sila lang nakatalo sa amin, twice pa. Na-sweep nila ang eliminations, so we have to sweep them sa Finals.”
