by Kristel Satumbaga
The Red Lions briefly took notice of the return of CJ Perez yesterday and then yawned, reserving their deafening roar for the final buzzer.
Unfazed by the presence of Lyceum’s star player, San Beda completed a three-peat championship in NCAA men’s basketball by sweeping the Pirates in the best-of-three title series at the Mall of Asia Arena.
In an anticlimactic Game 2, the Red Lions triumphed, 71-56, to duplicate last season’s feat after drawing first blood in the opener last week, 73-60.
The title was San Beda’s 11th in 13 consecutive final appearances and 22nd overall, cementing its dynasty in the 94-year-old league.
Javee Mocon set the court ablaze with 16 points, including four triples, 11 rebounds and five blocks and was named Finals Most Valuable Player, while Clint Doliguez added 14 points, hitting back-to-back baskets in the final minute that iced the win, 69-51.
Robert Bolick also ended his collegiate career with a bang by dishing off 12 assists apart from posting four points and four boards, his heralded duel with Perez reduced to an afterthought in the wake of San Beda’s dominant performance.
The return of Perez from a one-game ban hardly unnerved the Red Lions who purred from behind the arc in the first half courtesy of Mocon and Soberano. The duo combined for five of the team’s eight triples in the first two quarters to give SBU a 39-33 halftime lead.
The Pirates came within 49-44 going to the final period. But the Red Lions rose to the halfhearted challenge by keeping the Pirates at bay and eventually marching them to the gangplank as Donald Tankoua drained 11 of his 13 points in the fourth quarter.
It was another bitter pill to swallow for Lyceum which remained crownless since joining the league in 2011.
Forcing the offense several times in the first haf, Perez finished with 19 points, five rebounds and four assists, Jaycee Marcelino had 13 points, and Mike Nzeusseu posted 11 points and 13 rebounds.
Scores:
SAN BEDA 71 – Mocon 16, Doliguez 14, Tankoua 13, Canlas 9, Soberano 8, Oftana 5, Bolick 4, Presbitero 2, Abuda 0, Cabanag 0.
LYCEUM 56 – Perez 19, JC Marcelino 13, Nzeusseu 11, Pretta 5, Ayaay 4, Caduyac 2, Serrano 2, Yong 0.
Quarters: 23-15, 39-33, 49-44, 71-56.
