Lions eye sweep, rare 4-peat vs Knights

Games today

12:30 p.m. – San Beda vs La Salle-Greenhills (juniors)

2:30 p.m. – San Beda vs Letran (seniors)

MANILA, Philippines - San Beda hopes to draw the best again from big man Ola Adeogun as it goes for a sweep and a first four-peat against an embattled Letran side in Game Two of the 89th NCAA men’s basketball championship today at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

The Lions drew strength from the strong second half play of 6-8 Adeogun as they demolished the Knights, 80-68, in Monday’s opener that moved them a victory away from nailing their fourth straight championship and a league best 18th overall crown.

And both coaches Boyet Fernandez of San Beda and Caloy Garcia of Letran agree that it will be their centers of attraction that would spell the difference between victory and defeat.

Gametime is at 2:30 p.m.

“I have to give credit to Ola (Adeogun), he stepped up big for us in the second half of Game One and really helped the team in a big way,” said Fernandez, hoping to duplicate Frankie Lim, Ronnie Magsanoc and former San Sebastian mentor Ato Agustin’s feats of winning an NCAA crown on their rookie season.

“We really have to put effort in stopping Adeogun, that’s the only way to do it if we want to beat San Beda,” said Garcia.

Letran’s big man Raymond Almazan agrees.

“I have to stop him for us to win,” said the 6-7 Almazan, the league’s runaway MVP who had vowed to deliver the crown for the Knights before moving up to the pro ranks this Sunday.

Almazan will suit up for Rain or Shine, which tabbed him third overall in the recent PBA rookie draft.

Adeogun imposed his will in the second half by pouring 14 of his 16 points and pulling down 10 of his 11 rebounds, outshining Almazan, who was held to just two fourth quarter points.

Adeogun, however, refused to take solo credit for the win and insisted it was teamwork.

“It’s not just me, it’s our teamwork that helped us win. I couldn’t do it alone,” said Adeogun.

Truly, a lot of heroes emerged from the Lions’ Game One romp, including Baser Amer, who dropped eight points in the fourth, and seldom-used John Ludovice, who exploded for 11 points in the last period.

The Semerad twins, Anthony and David, also came through with clutch plays when Adeogun, Kyle Pascual and San Beda captain Rome Dela Rosa struggled or slowed down by foul woes.

“Aside from Ola, Baser also showed a heart of a champion. Vice (Ludovice) also stepped up big for the team as well as others like Anthony and David, they made some big plays when our starters were in foul trouble,” said Fernandez.

In juniors’ action, the San Beda Cubs try to make it a twin celebration as they tangle with the La Salle Greenies at 12:30 p.m.