NCAA: Adeogun rejection clinches four-peat for San Beda

(Update-2, 5:09pm) Ola Adeogun's clutch play on both ends ensured that the NCAA title stayed with the San Beda College Red Lions.

Up by two points, 58-56, Adeogun swallowed up a drive by Letran Knight Kevin Racal. Then after the Red-and-White nearly bobbled away the inbounds pass, the Red Lions found their center on the second opportunity, who drew the foul to stop the clock. The 6'8" Nigerian calmly canned both charities, to establish the final score of 60-56 with 1.7 seconds remaining, and SBC's fourth straight NCAA title, Saturday at the MOA Arena.

The Red Lions have now won seven of the last eight NCAA Championships, 18 all in all. Next year, they'll be in a position to tie San Sebastian College-Recoletos' streak of five, with that reign spanning from 1993 to 1997, though they'll have to do it sans forward Rome Dela Rosa, who has used up his eligibility.

Red Lions head coach Boyet Fernandez said that the game came down to which side wanted it more, and said his squad's intensity from the opening tip was a huge factor. "We just had to be aggressive and match the intensity of Letran. We started really flat in game two. We were on and off and we weren't intense all the time," he said. Fernandez gave credit to his players for performing when it mattered on the biggest stage of the season, and thanked the continuing support of the San Beda community.

"Sabi ko sa game three, yung stats, tanggal na yun lahat. I just put on our offensive and defensive game plans and follow the system. It's game three," he said.

San Beda had taken game one, 80-68, before Letran knotted the series via a game two triumph, 79-74, forcing a game three, winner-take-all match.

When these two teams met last season, the Finals series also extended to three games, but the Season 88 clincher was much more of a blowout, as San Beda won that one 67-39.

Art Dela Cruz was named Finals MVP after the win, having scored 13 points in the second half for 20 points and 16 rebounds, both game-highs. Ola Adeogun also provided 17 points, 13 rebounds and four blocks to lead the champions back from a first half deficit, en route to dominating the smaller Knights in the paint in the second half.

This one was much closer. A turnaround by Art Dela Cruz put SBC up by three, 57-54 with 1:03 left, but a driving Mark Cruz found Ford Ruaya for a jumper, to pull his team within one, 51 seconds remaining.

Yvan Ludovice drew a foul from Mark Cruz and split his free throws, for just a 58-56 advantage. On the other end, Racal drove hard in an attempt to tie the game, but his floater was blocked by Adeogun, and with just 8.6 seconds left, the Knights were forced to foul in a desperate attempt to make something happen.

San Beda coach Boyet Fernandez, who was also named Coach of the Year, managed to win a title in his first year at the helm, similar to what Ronnie Magsanoc, whose spot he took over, did a season ago, adding another trophy to a mantle that contains a PBA title and four PBA-DL championships.

Buckets were sparse for Letran in the opening quarter, as they were unable to get into form against the Red Lions' stingy defense. Meanwhile, Baser Amer balanced the offense for San Beda. The Red Lions scored at will regardless of the pace, and Art Dela Cruz's five points led San Beda to a 14-7 advantage after the first period.

After the Red Lions stretched the lead to 18-7 early in the second quarter, Letran clawed their way back within striking range. Raymond Almazan and Ford Ruaya sprinted up-court off turnovers and notched second-chance points to draw within one, 18-17.

Ola Adeogun quenched a five-minute scoring drought for the Red Lions at around the four minute mark. However, Kevin Racal drew a foul on a three-pointer and made two, then Letran pushed the ball off defensive rebounds and connected on three straight possessions. The Knights attacked the rim relentlessly with diminutive point guard Mark Cruz leading the charge.

By the time the dust settled at halftime, Letran had gone on a 23-6 run to close the second period, 30-24.

After two quarters, Almazan racked up 10 points and seven rebounds, with his 4-of-5 field goal mark leading the Knights' 11-of-32 (34 percent) clip. The Red Lions, in contrast, were 9-of-33 (27 percent).

Letran also led in rebounding (26-22) and in fast break points (9-2).

San Beda decided to run their offense through Adeogun in the third quarter, with Dela Cruz providing support from the high post. Rey Nambatac came up with five points as the Knights limped ahead, but the Red Lions duo managed to close the gap, 39-37.

The pair also figured in a key defensive sequence for the Red Lions with four minutes to play. Adeogun swatted Almazan's attempt beneath the rim, leading to Almazan fouling Dela Cruz to prevent an easy basket. Almazan picked up his fourth foul and was pulled from play, while Dela Cruz sank two charities to tie the game. On the next possession, Adeogun erased another Knight beneath the hoop, leading to a Dela Cruz alley-oop on the other end. By then. San Beda had wrested back the lead, 41-39.

Letran called a timeout, which led to Nambatac's second triple of the quarter to temporarily lead by one. However, a couple of huge baskets by Amer in the last two minutes ensured the Red Lions would keep control entering the fourth, 45-43.

Neither team led for long throughout the payoff period. Propelled by a Jonathan Belorio triple and Almazan's return to the floor, Letran parried San Beda's incursions in the paint but still trailed, 55-52, after Adeogun and Dela Cruz made consecutive baskets inside with three minutes to play.

At 1:48, Kevin Racal made a pair of clutch charities to pull within one.  But the Knights were unable to shackle Dela Cruz, who spun on the left block for another hook shot, 57-54, forcing Letran to take a timeout with a minute left. They replied quickly, as a driving Cruz hit Ruaya for a midrange jumper, 57-56.

San Beda likewise called for time, and after some difficulty with the inbounds pass, found Ivan Ludovice for a right-hand drive. Ludovice was fouled by Cruz, who suddenly was attacked by cramps and had to sit. Ludovice missed the first of two, leaving 29 ticks on the clock, 58-56.

Letran pushed the ball upcourt and Racal attempted to drive to the hoop, only for Adeogun to tip the Knight's floater into the Red Lions' hands. The defending champions called a timeout and inbounded the ball from halfcourt. After an intentional foul from Racal with 1.7 ticks left, Adeogun trooped to the line and made both charities to seal the deal.

San Beda shot 21-of-60 (35 percent) for the game, while the Knights were 20-of-68 (29 percent). The Red Lions also dominated from the free throw line, making 17-of-27 (63 percent) while Letran went 13-of-18 (72 percent).

The Lions eventually won the rebounding battle, 48-42, though Letran won on the offensive glass, 15-12. The Knights trailed 17-10 in turnover points, with none of them coming in the second half.

Season MVP Raymond Almazan notched 14 points, 11 rebounds and four blocks in his final game before he finally suits up for the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters in the PBA. Rey Nambatac and Mark Cruz provided 10 points each, with the latter also registering nine rebounds and five assists. - AMD, GMA News


The scores:

San Beda 60 - Dela Cruz 20, Adeogun 17, Amer 6, Dela Rosa 6, Pascual 4, Abarcar 2, A. Semerad 2, Ludovice 2, Sara 1, D. Semerad 0

Letran 56 - Almazan 14, Cruz 10, Nambatac 10, Ruaya 9, Racal 7, Belorio 4, Luib 2, Castro 0, Po 0, Tambeling 0, Buenaflor 0, Gabawan 0

Quarter scoring: 14-7, 24-30, 45-43, 60-56