SAN BEDA looked like it was in a rush to punch its ticket to the NCAA finals with the way the Red Lions blew out the Perpetual Help Altas in the final period, taking away all the thrill of a do-or-die encounter at Mall of Asia Arena.
The Lions also sent a strong message to their finals nemesis, the Arellano Chiefs: Their ruthless form is back just in time when the stakes are at its highest.
But San Beda, looking for a ninth title in 11 years, will have little time to celebrate a 78-63 triumph over Perpetual Help yesterday with the best-of-three series set to start tomorrow also at MOA Arena.
Not that San Beda coach Jamike Jarin minds.
“Like what we’re saying, during this time of the year, you can’t be tired or hurting,” said Jarin, who steered the Red Lions to their 11th straight finals appearance.
“All the marbles in the world, it’s all about the last 80 minutes.”
Sidetracked by a stunning 87-83 upset by the Altas last Friday, the Lions crawled out of a nine-point hole in the second period in the rubber match, before pulling away in the second half behind the hot shooting of Davon Potts.
It was just the type of clutch performance that marked Potts’ rookie season with the Lions as he unleashed nine of his 16 points in the first five minutes of the fourth period to push the lead to 17 points, 65-48.
The Lions were hardly troubled from there with Jayvee Mocon closing out the convincing win, pouring six of his 12 points in the fourth quarter to finish with a double-double output that also included 15 rebounds.
“We wanted to get to the finals earlier at least you get a chance to rest,” said Jarin. “We were hoping that the series between Mapua and Arellano would have extended but it turned out it was the other way around.”
The Chiefs, who lost all three meetings with the Lions this season, didn’t need their twice-to-beat edge in disposing of the Cardinals, 92-80, unlike the Lions, who once again rose above adversity in a season where they lost their top center Donald Tankoua to a knee injury.
“I was frustrated and it rubbed off on my players so I take responsibility for the loss [in Game 1],” said Jarin. “I’m just a coach who wants to win and prepare these young men for life. I care about winning but it’s the togetherness that we’ll have in a lifetime.”
It was another letdown for the Altas, who suffered a Final Four exit at the hands of the Lions for the fifth time in six seasons.
The scores:
SAN BEDA 78—Potts 16, Bolick 14, Mocon 12, Soberano 9, Noah 7, Adamos 7, Sara 6, Oftana 4, Presbitero 2, Bahio 1, Tongco 0, Alas 0, Bonsubre 0, Carlos 0, Navarro 0.
PERPETUAL HELP 63—Dagangon 16, Singontiko 11, Akhuetie 8, Eze 6, Sadiwa 6, Ylagan 5, Coronel 3, Hao 3, Dizon 3, Pido 2, Gallardo 0, Yuhico 0, Mangalino 0.
Quarters: 15-20, 37-30, 56-39, 78-63