La Salle, San Beda charity match ends in draw but raises P2M for ‘Yolanda’ victims

MANILA, Philippines — La Salle and San Beda fought to a draw in the “Champions for a Cause” charity match, but it hardly mattered for both teams as every point meant so much more than just winning.

There was no victor between Green Archers and the Red Lions as they were locked at 74-all at the end of match, but the real winners were the survivors of Supertyphoon “Yolanda” as the event raised close to P2 million.

Alumni from both schools, which filled all but the upper box B and general admissions sections at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, pledged to donate P5,000 for every point the teams scored amounting to P740,000.

On top of that, the event also garnered at least P1 million from ticket sales while sponsors Starmobile, Total Philippines, PLDT MyDSL and Bostik combined for more than P100,000 in pledges.

“I was very happy to see a lot of people and come out and support this. We saw the amount that will be given to the victims, and we’re very blessed for this opportunity,” said La Salle coach Juno Sauler.

“As part of the San Beda community, we’re very happy to be part of this. We thank alumni of both schools for supporting the event,” said San Beda coach Boyet Fernandez after the match.

Both sides seemed winded, with most of Red Lions playing in the PBA D-League and the Green Archers coming off a long break after the UAAP finals, but still put on a competitive show.

La Salle led by 10 at halftime, 34-44, but San Beda managed to play it toe-to-toe in the fourth quarter. Both teams will face each other anew in the PCCL.

Baser Amer, who finished with 11 for San Beda, gave the Red Lions the lead with a minute and forty seconds to play, but La Salle tied it up on a freethrow from Norbert Torres.

Torres brought the lead back to the Green Archers after turning Jeron Teng’s miss to gold, but Ola Adeogun got a three-point play opportunity.

The Nigerian center, who led San Beda with 14, however, missed the bonus which could’ve given them the victory with 7.9 seconds to go.

“I’m thankful to be part of this. Even if your body is sore, you have pain in your legs, I still feel good because I know I’m helping,” Adeogun said.

Almond Vostros, meanwhile, was still lethal as he paced all scorers with 21 points on a perfect shooting clip from downtown.