Second-choice Noah rewards coach’s faith with Finals MVP performance | Inquirer Sports

Second-choice Noah rewards coach’s faith with Finals MVP performance

By: - Reporter / @cedelfptINQ
/ 12:19 AM October 13, 2016

NCAA FInals MVP. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

NCAA FInals MVP. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

Cameroonian Arnold Noah wasn’t even San Beda coach Jamike Jarin’s first-choice import for NCAA Season 92.

That recognition belonged to Donald Tankoua, a member of the Red Lions 2015 squad that lost the title to Letran.

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But when the 6-foot-6 Tankoua suffered a season-ending ACL injury just two games into the second round of the season, the 6-foot-3 Noah was thrust into the limelight.

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Rising to the challenge, Noah saved his best game for last Tuesday night when he led the Lions with 18 points in the title-clinching 83-73 victory that completed a sweep of the Arellano Chiefs in the best-of-three finals at Mall of Asia Arena.

The performance was enough to give Noah the Finals MVP award, besting teammates Dan Sara and Robert Bolick, the hero in Game 1.

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“When we lost Donald, I thought I should really step up and help the team,” said Noah. “I saw my friend (Donald) really down because of the injury. I just looked at us and I saw who can make up for his stats. We worked together as a team (to overcome Donald’s absence).”

Noah was actually the unlikely choice as the Lions’ second foreign player. But Jarin said Noah’s versatility put him on the roster instead of 6-9 Eugene Toba.

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TAGS: Donald, Finals MVP, Lions, title

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