Lions rally, halt Pirates' streak to take Game 1
San Beda Red Lions' Rober Bolick gestures to his teammates during Game 1 of the NCAA Season 93 men's basketball final at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum | Contributed Photo
MANILA, Philippines — San Beda College dug their way out of a 12-point hole to upend the previously unbeaten Lyceum of the Philippines University, 94-87, and draw first blood in the NCAA Season 93 men’s basketball finals Friday.
Davon Potts arrested the the Red Lions’ dry spell early in the third to pave the way for a pesky rally by San Beda in a title showdown at the Big Dome.
Donald Tankoua added to the effort to finally wrest the lead from the Pirates at the 2:46 marker of the same quarter, 61-60.
CJ Perez of Lyceum, who was earlier named league Most Valuable Player, mounted his own heroics to keep his team in control.
But Robert Bollick wasn’t having any of it. Also a transferee like Perez, the Red Lions guard took over when it mattered most: the final moments of the final period.
Tankoua paced San Beda with 27 points and 20 rebounds. Bolick finished with 24 while Potts chimed in 15.
Perez tallied 25 for the Pirates while import Mike Nzeusseu contributed 14 points.
The victory put the Red Lions a win away from repeating as champions. It also gave the Pirates their only loss this season after sweeping the eliminations.
BOX SCORES
SAN BEDA 94 – Tankoua 27, Bolick 24, Potts 15, Mocon 11, Soberano 9, Tongco 4, Doliguez 2, Noah 2, Abuda 0, Presbitero 0, Adamos 0
LPU 87 – Perez 25, Nzeusseu 14, Ayaay 11, Caduyac 9, Marcelino JV 8, Marcelino JC 6, Ibanez 6, Santos 5, Pretta 3, Serrano 0, Baltazar 0
QUARTER SCORES: 22-21, 45-50, 64-64, 94-87
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