Red Lions knock at history, eye No. 18

MANILA—Oozing with confidence after a convincing Game 1 finals victory, San Beda tries to complete a perfect season when it clashes with San Sebastian again today in the 86th NCAA basketball championship playoffs at the Araneta Coliseum. Gametime is 4 p.m. with the  Lions looking to book their place in history as the only team to go 18-0 in a season. 
The Lions, who own a thrice-to-beat edge in the title series, are also gunning for a 15th crown that will put them one behind Letran, the school with the most NCAA basketball titles. Despite their 93-73 rout in Game 1 Wednesday night, San Beda coach Frankie Lim downplayed the idea of a sweep.
“We’re trying hard not to think about it,” Lim said of the sweep. “We just want to focus on the game on Friday.”  With fifth-year guard Borgie Hermida presiding over a torrid second-half attack, the Lions coasted to victory over the Stags, who, a year ago, swept them in the finals.  San Beda’s reserves also proved to be a key as they outscored their San Sebastian counterparts, 37-9, with rookie Anthony Semerad coming off the bench to fire 12 points.  “I still hold to the statement that we have an 80-percent chance of winning the title if we win Game 1,” said Lim. “It’s just a matter of closing it out. We’ll plan out something, something they (Stags) have not seen before.” The Red Cubs try to set up a championship double for San Beda when they battle the SSC Staglets earlier at 2 p.m.
San Sebastian Ato Agustin rued the lack of manpower to match up with the Lions. Four Stags, including top scorer Calvin Abueva, logged at least 31 minutes in Game 1 and they looked fagged out when they tried to make their final push in the fourth quarter. Photo by Jan Dizon, NCAA.org.ph