| By Frank C. Calapre, Correspondent SAN BEDA COLLEGE displayed its deadly form to retain the National Collegiate Athletic Association men’s basketball title Monday at the Araneta Coliseum. Two-time Most Valuable Player Sam Ekwe of Nigeria scored 21 points on top of 19 rebounds as the Red Lions outclassed the Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers 85-69 for their third straight crown. The 6’8” Ekwe joined hand with pro-bound Pong Escobal, Ogie Menor and rookie Jake Pascual to give San Beda a 64-48 lead at the end of the third quarter. “We came out soft in Game 2. Now we started strongly. I told the boys before the game to play good defense and always play as a team,” said coach Frankie Lim San Beda won Game 1 (72-68) but Jose Rizal bounced back in Game 2 (62-60) to force the rubbermatch. “We were able to limit their shooters particularly Nocom [Jayson], Hayes [Marvin] and Wilson [John]. And that what really stopped the game of JRU,” added Lim, a member of the Red Lions that won back-to-back titles in 1977 and 1978. San Beda now has 14 titles, including three straight from 1934 to 1937, to tie the record of San Sebastian College. Letran has 16 titles. “We played well and we really worked hard for this game. No one can take this victory from us. I thank all including the San Beda family for their support,” said Ekwe, who was also voted as Finals best player. The six-time champion Jose Rizal, seeking to end a 36-year title drought, had a sluggish start that allowed San Beda to take a 9-4 lead which ballooned to 14-6 on Jay-Arr Taganas’ two free throws, 3:51 left in the first period. While Ekwe and Menor continued to dominate the shaded lane, the Red Lions kept their 9-point lead at the half. The Red Lions sustained their momentum in the third quarter with Menor, Pascual and Escobal scoring back-to-back baskets. Menor finished with 18 points and 8 rebounds while Pascual and Escobal contributed 13 and 11 points, respectively. James Sena led the Heavy Bombers with 24 points, 8 rebounds and 2 assists while Marc Cagoco chipped in 16 points. Cameroon’s Nchotu John Njei had 8 points. |