San Beda, PCU start NCAA title duel

Games Today (Araneta Coliesum) 2 p.m. – SSC-R vs. PCU (Juniors) 4 p.m. – San Beda vs PCU (Seniors) The heavily-favored San Beda Red Lions will square off Monday at 4 p.m. against the Philippine Christian University (PCU) Dolphins at the start of their best-of-three title showdown for the 82nd NCAA Men’s basketball championship at the Araneta Coliseum. The Red Lions, who are aching to break a 28-year-old title drought, will face a tough Dolphins squad at 4 p.m. today, hoping that a victory will propel them one step closer to the promised land. The last time San Beda won an NCAA basketball crown was in 1978 when the team, bannered by former pros Chito Loyzaga, son of basketball great Caloy "The Big Difference" Loyzaga, and Talk 'N' Text manager Frankie Lim, led their team to victory. "Our slogan this year is to end 28 at 82, meaning end a 28-year title drought at Season 82," said San Beda coach Koy Banal, who was still in high school when the Red Lions won their last title 28 years ago. "If we keep the faith, believe in ourselves and work harder, we’ll have a strong chance of achieving that goal," he added. Dolphins banking on championship experience The Dolphins managed to enter the finals after making mincemeat of 2005 champions Letran Knights during their final-four encounter last Wednesday. Now it is out to prove that they have what it takes to defeat a team that has romped off with the competition after winning 13 straight victories, including a hard-fought 55-51 victory over the Mapua Cardinals in the other final four matchup. San Beda has not been defeated since they lost a close game, incidentally, against the same Dolphins squad, 70-66, last June 28 at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium. San Beda, however, prevailed in their second round meeting, 73-64, on Aug. 23. The Dolphins will surely use their experience, having made it to the finals the last three seasons, including in 2004 when they clinched their first ever crown since entering the league in 1996. Five members of that champion squad are still in the fold, including 2004 rookie MVP Gabby Espinas, Jason Castro, Ian Garrido, Beau Belga, and Lisztian Amparado. "We have players who have the championship experience and we hope to use that to our advantage," said PCU mentor Joel Dualan who was assistant to Ato Tolentino and Junel Baculi when his team made the finals in 2004 and 2005. But San Beda boasts of talented players in Nigerian Samuel Ekwe, Yousif Aljamal, John Escobal, Rogermar Menor and Alex Angeles — all fired up to end the school’s title drought spanning nearly three decades. The 6’8" Ekwe led the league in rebounds and blocks after the double round elims, averaging 15 boards and three shot blocks and could be on his way to becoming the league’s second rookie MVP. Dualan, however, remains unfazed, saying that a victory is very possible if they stick with their game plan. "If we run our offense very well and limit (Yousif) Aljamal, (John) Escobal, (Rogemar) Menor and (Alex) Angeles from scoring, we’ll have a better chance of beating them," said Dualan. Both teams even Statistically, the two teams are practically even. The Lions led in points (69.2), rebounds (15.9), and assists (15.9) as against the Dolphins’ 67 points, 43.4 rebounds, and 13.4 assists. PCU, however, was tops in blocks, despite the presence of Ekwe who has an average of 5.7 blocks as against San Beda’s 4.1. PCU also has an advantage on field goal percentage with 67 percent compared to San Beda’s 61 percent. The Dolphins also led in steals with an average of 7.8 while the Lions normed only 4.1. San Beda will again rely on Nigerian center Samuel Ekwe, veteran forward Yousif Aljamal, sharp-shooter Alex Angeles, and rookie John Escobal. Ekwe, a strong contender for Most Valuable Player, averaging 13 points, eight rebounds, and three block shots per game, is expected to dominate the paint. The dynamic duo of pro bound Gabby Espinas and Jason Castro are at the helm of PCU’s second title quest. The Dolphins won their first crown in 2004 under coach Loreto Tolentino. - GMANews.TV