Adeogun keys Lions’ victory

OLA Adeogun hit clutch shots in the closing seconds as San Beda tripped La Salle, 88-81, yesterday to move within a win of the 2014 National Collegiate Championship title of the Philippine Collegiate Champions League (PCCL).

Bucking foul trouble, Adeogun buried the Red Lions’ last seven points in the final 46 seconds to lift the five-time NCAA champions past the defending champion Green Archers in Game 1 of their best-of-three title series at Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.

“He (Adeogun) felt embarrassed in our last game, so he said he’ll make up for it,” said acting coach Adonis Tierra after the Lions avenged their 56-61 loss to the Archers in the Elite Eight round.

“Even if [La Salle’s Ben] Mbala still had the edge, Ola was good in the last two minutes.”

The Lions dealt the Archers their first loss in the tournament with Adeogun finishing with 20 points on a 7-of-10 shooting clip, on top of seven rebounds and a couple of blocks.

Baser Amer knocked in 12 of his 19 points in the first half to help the rejuvenated Lions to a 43-37 advantage at the end of the half.

The Lions will shoot for a series sweep in Game 2 on Monday, where they will also vie to become only the second NCAA squad to rule the nationwide tournament.

Mbala led the Archers with a game-high 26 points, 22 in the second half that helped the Archers wrest the lead twice.

When Adeogun picked up his fourth foul and sat it out midway in the third quarter, the Archers took advantage with Mbala pouncing inside to help them grab the lead, 59-58.

The scores:
SAN BEDA 88—Adeogun 20, Amer 19, Sara 15, Dela Cruz 14, Mendoza 8, Sorela 6, Soberano 3, Koga 2, Tankoua 1, Mocon 0, Tongco 0.
LA SALLE 81—Mbala 26, Montalbo 13, Rivero 12, Tratter 10, Teng 9, Torres 8, Salem 3, Bolick 0, Mustre 0.
Quarters: 23-18, 43-37, 61-59, 88-81