San Beda takes game 1 of NCAA seniors finals

GET THAT BALL! Garvo Lanete of San Beda College (left) and Bobby Balucanag of San Sebastian College scramble for the ball during the two schools’ match at the 87th NCAA men's basketball best-of-three finals in Smart Araneta Coliseum on Monday, October 24, 2011. San Beda won, 75-63. PHOTO BY AUGUST DELA CRUZ/INQUIRER

MANILA, Philippines—Mar Villahermosa chose the best time to play his best game yet.

Villahermosa, playing his last year, towed San Beda to a 75-63 victory over San Sebastian Wednesday in game one of the 87th NCAA men’s basketball best-of-three finals.

Villahermosa sprung to life in the fourth quarter where he scored 10 of his 15 points including a triple with 1:50 left, virtually sealing the victory.

“I needed to do this because it’s the finals already. Coach [Frankie Lim] told us to bring our A-game,” said Villahermosa.

“Garvo [Lanete] wasn’t feeling well, he was off timing. Good thing Mar stepped up for us. He led us in the fast breaks,” said San Beda’s head coach Frankie Lim.

Game two is on Wednesday, 12noon, at the Smart Araneta Colisuem.

Lanete, San Beda’s top scorer, had a subpar performance with season-low six points but the second stringers were there to the rescue.

Burly forward Dave Marcelo gutted out a double-double performance with 14 points, 11 rebounds and two blocks.

It was in the fourth quarter where San Beda, which is gunning for a back-to-back title and 16th overall in history, flipped the momentum after struggling to take control early on.

A flagrant foul on league MVP Calvin Abueva and a disqualifying foul on the Stags head coach Topex Robinson in the last three minutes even added insult to the injury.

The Red Lions posted their biggest lead, 73-59, with a minute and a half left after technical free throws plus possession were awarded.

Ronald Pascual and Calvin Abueva finished on top for San Sebastian with 14 and 12 points, respectively, but it was mostly the bench that got the squad’ engine running.

Lyle Antipuesto added 11 points for the Stags, who are hoping to avenge last season’s finals meltdown.