PCCL hails Lions as best collegiate hoops team

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine Collegiate Champions League on Thursday honored the San Beda Lions for topping their 2014 edition in simple rites at television giant ABS-CBN's ELJ Building in Quezon City.

"We are honoring the San Beda Red Lions as the one national collegiate champion of 2014," said PCCL chair Reynaldo Gamboa, who was joined by league founder and commissioner Joe Lipa in the awarding ceremony.

"The annual search for the best collegiate team is a multi-level competition conducted in partnership with over 35 mother leagues nationwide and it is fitting that the five-peat NCAA champion emerged as the winner," he added.

The Manny V. Pangilinan Perpetual Bronze Scultpure, "Abutin Ang Tagumpay," symbol of collegiate basketball supremacy in the country, was handed over to San Beda for possession until the next national champion emerges.

San Beda team manager Jude Roque, assistant coach Benjie Paras and team captain Baser Amer received the prestigious perpetual trophy.

The PCCL also honored Glen Khobuntin of National University the Model National Collegiate Player for 2014, the highest honor PCCL confers to a player for his exemplary conduct on and off the court, and for attaining education while playing competitive basketball.

Last year's winner of this same plum was former San Beda skipper Rome dela Rosa.

"We are also honoring those individuals, schools and entities, who contributed immensely to the continuing success of the annual search for the best collegiate teams nationwide," said Gamboa.

Gamboa also expressed gratitude to Meralco and ABS-CBN Sports and Action for sponsoring the different awards for collegiate season 2014.

San Beda captured its first ever PCCL title by beating La Salle late last year, underlining its status as the best collegiate basketball league in the country today.