San Beda Takes Game 1, Moves Closer To Clinch 5-Peat #NCAA90

San Beda Takes Game 1, Moves Closer To Clinch 5-Peat #NCAA90

By Jamil Buergo

October 21, 2014

San Beda jumped to an early lead and tamed their opponents attempt to comeback as it repulsed Arellano, 74-66, in Game 1 of the best-of-three NCAA Season 90 finals at the Mall of Asia Arena.

The win put the Red Lions on the brink of winning their fifth straight title and eighth of the last nine. A victory on wednesday also gives them their 19th overall basketball championship in the country’s oldest collegiate league.

Showing championship poise and experience, the Mendiola-based dribblers seemed to coast to an easy win as they took an early 11-0 lead. But the Chiefs showed they deserved to be in the finals using their vaunted run-and-gun attack as they tied the score at 31-all. However, San Beda unleashed a blistering 9-0 run to end the half 40-31. It was a San Beda show in the third quarter as they continued to dominate their inexperienced opponents as they led 59-48 entering the final period.

In the final quarter, guards John Pinto and Jiovani Jalalon sparked a comeback by the chiefs as they managed to trim the deficit to five, 56-61. But it was all they could do as Jalalon fouled out with still over five minutes left. Baser Amer took charge after thast as he scored five points, including a triple that gave them a comfortable margin, 72-59, with a little over a minute left in the ballgame.

Coach Boyet Fernandez lauded his boys for responding to his challenge. But there’s no time to celebrate yet as they still have work to do. “We just won one game,” said Fernandez.

As for first-time finals coach Jerry Codinera, he admitted that his team succumbed to the finals pressure. He hopes they can regroup immediately and force a deciding game, which will be played on Saturday if necessary.

Amer led San Beda with his all-around game of 17 points, 5 rebounds and 7 assists. Nigerian behemoth Ola Adeogun had his usual dominating performance of 14 points, 14 rebounds and 3 blocks. Anthony Semerad and Arth Dela Cruz scored 14 and 13 points respectively.

Keith Agovida paced Arellano with 14 points while NCAA top rookie Dioncee Holts had 11.

Photo Gallery

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The Scores:

San Beda 74 – Amer 17, A. Semerad 14, Adeogon 14, De La Cruz 13, Pascual 7, Sara 5, Mendoza 3, Koga 2, Mendoza 2, Cabanag 0, Mocon 0, D. Semerad 0, Tongco 0.

Arellano 66 – Agovida 14, Holts 11, Jalalon 9, Bangga 9, Pinto 6, Gumaru 5, Salcedo 4, Ciriacruz 4, Nicholls 2, Enriquez 2, Hernandez 0, Palma 0, Caperal 0, Cadavis 0.

Quarterscores: 26-17, 40-31, 59-48, 74-66.

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