Red Lions hold off Chiefs, go for five-peat on Wednesday

San Beda head coach Boyet Fernandez (left) and center Ola Adeogun shoot for another title on Wednesday. Mark Giongco/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — San Beda inched closer to a fifth straight championship following a 74-66 win over upstart Arellano in Game 1 of the NCAA Season 90 men’s basketball Finals Monday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Nigerian center Ola Adeogun notched a double-double with 14 points and 14 rebounds that went with four blocks for the Red Lions, who shoots for their eighth title in nine seasons on Wednesday.

“We’re happy that we got Game 1 but we just won one game. But we’ll probably enjoy this moment for about an hour. We still have another game,” said San Beda head coach Boyet Fernandez.

“Arellano fought back. They have very good players and a very good coach and I knew that they won’t give up.”

The Red Lions led by as much as 15 early and never trailed before staving off the Chiefs, a first-time finalist, late.