By WAYLON GALVEZ
SAN BEDA ended a three-year championship drought in style, scoring a convincing 98-77 win over the Lyceum of the Philippines University Junior Pirates in the NCAA Season 95 junior’s tournament yesterday at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Justin Sanchez powered the Red Cubs with 19 points, while Rhayyan Amsali – a transferee from National University – had 16 points and 11 rebounds, and Jay Ynot added 18 points off the bench for San Beda.
The title win was San Beda’s 24th – the most in the junior’s division in the NCAA.
San Beda coach Manu Iñigo, only in his first season at San Beda, said it was the determination of his players particularly the eight graduating Red Cubs that helped the team regain the title.
“Sobrang saya siyempre, nag-bunga iyong sacrifices ng mga players namin, and supporta na rin ng buong San Beda community. Also, iyong mga graduating players namin, they did their best,” said Iñigo.
San Beda took Game 1, 94-80, but Lyceum won Game 2, 79-74, that forced the winner-take-all Game 3.
Sanchez and Amsali took charge early when the Red Cubs grabbed a 27-18 advantage after the first period. By halftime break, San Beda has padded its lead to 50-33.
Iñigo said they were a bit pressured to end the title series that led to their defeat in Game 2. He reminded his players to just play their game and remain focused on the game plan.
Lyceum, which played in its first finals since joining the NCAA in 2011, got 24 points from guard Mclaude Guadania, while Jaerolan Omandac had 12 points and season MVP John Barba added 11 points.
The scores:
SAN BEDA 98 – Sanchez 19, Ynot 18, Amsali 16, Llarena 10, Oftana 9, Alao 8, Cabanero 5, Pelipel 4, Andrada 3, Nicdao 3, Alcantara 2, Delfino 1, Pascual 0, Valencia 0, Perigrina 0.
LYCEUM 77– Guadania 24, Omandac 12, Barba 11, Montano 10, Garro 6, Panganiban 5, Ragasa 5, Caduyac 2, Garing 2, Gamlanga 0, Gudmalin 0, Dejelo 0, Dumon 0.
Quarters: 27-18, 50-33, 81-51, 98-77.
