SAN BEDA showed poise amid Arellano University’s intense rally to win Game One, 88-85, on Thursday and move to within a victory of regaining the seniors’ basketball crown in the 92nd National Collegiate Athletic Association at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Robert Bolick played big to finish with 24 points and 10 rebounds, while Benedict Adamos, subbing for injured big man Donald Tankoua, added 16 points and seven rebounds for the Red Lions, who could snatch the crown in Game Two on Tuesday also at the MOA Arena.
“I have to commend all our 15 young men who are all there to support the team. All of them are ready to play,” San Beda head coach Jamike Jarin said.
The Red Lions were in control for much of the game, leading by as many as 13 points in the first period.
But the Chiefs, who are in their second finals appearance in three years, uncorked a searing rally in the third quarter to cut the deficit to 69-70 entering the final 10 minutes.
Jio Jalalon and Kent Salado combined for 21 points in that second half Arellano University comeback highlighted by a 7-0 run Jalalon capped with a three-point shot.
The Chiefs stayed in the hunt and even tied the count at 80-all with five minutes remaining in the game.
Both teams traded spurts but Bolick waxed hot when it mattered most and scored his team’s last four points to seal Game One for the Red Lions.
Arellano University had a chance to steal the game but Lervin Flores missed an open hook shot that allowed San Beda to counter with Bolick’s open layup for an 86-85 count with the 1:16 to go.
In the following possession, Dioncee Holts’s long juamper rimmed out and Bolick completed two charities in the next play with 3.7 seconds left.
Jalalon tried for a half-court heave but missed the ring entirely.
Jalalon led the Chiefs with 21 points, seven rebounds and five assists, while Salado had 19 points and six assists.
Mapua, meanwhile, suffocated San Beda with a full-court trapping defense as for an 83-64 victory in Game One of the juniors finals also on Thursday.
The victory pushed the Red Robins to within a win of bagging their first title in 16 years.
Jasper Selanga fired 17 points while Romuel Junsay, Clint Escamis and Bryan Samudio chipped in 15, 12 and 12, respectively, for Mapua.
But it was defense that did it for the Robins as they shackled the Red Cubs to a season-low performance since their 74-66 triumph over the San Sebastian Stags on July 25.
So unnerving was Mapua’s defense that San Beda turned the ball over 31 times and the Red Lions missed 43 of their 66 shots.
Image credits: Roy Domingo