Red Warriors champs of collegiate champs

University of the East found vindication in a bigger stage, stunning a taller San Beda, 66-59, to rule the 2006 Collegiate Champions League before a sizeable Sunday crowd at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.

James Martinez, who happened to play college ball for San Beda, spewed 16 points including two triples in the fourth quarter that sealed it for the Warriors.

It was sweet for Martinez, who won championships for the Red Cubs, and sweeter for UE, which finally found exoneration following a disappointing performance in the UAAP’s Season 69.

"Maybe the boys poured all their emotions in this game," said UE coach Dindo Pumaren. "It was redemption in a way since we not only fought for the UAAP but we also won on a bigger stage."

More than redemption, UE took home the beautifully-crafted trophy, the top prize amounting to P500,000 worth of scholarship grants and sports equipment and the bragging rights as the country’s best collegiate school.

San Beda went home with P200,000.

UE also dedicated the win to its graduating players Rob Labagala, who was one of an elite group feted by a Special Seniors Award by the UAAP Press Corps, and Lawrence Briones.

"I told the players to dedicate this game to our seniors (Labagala and Briones) as a parting gift,"said Pumaren.

The Lions drew strength from 2006 rookie MVP Sam Ekwe and Finals MVP Yousif Aljamal but the Lions had no answer to the Warriors’ quickness and sleek running game.

Ekwe, the Nigerian phenom who packs his slams with power, had a monster 23-rebound effort that drew praises even from Pumaren.

"Ekwe is really an intimidating inside presence, he really changed our game," said Pumaren, who is now 3-0 against the Lions this year.

Earlier, wild card Jose Rizal capped its impressive finish by downing Mapua, 76-72, to clinch third place. The Bombers, who eliminated the UAAP champion Santo Tomas Tigers in the round-of-16, built leads as big as 23 points to have enough cushion to overcome a furious fight back by the Cardinals in the stretch.

Jose Rizal, one of the three teams who made it here through the backdoor, took home a consolation prize amounting to P100,000 worth of scholarship grants while Mapua P50,000.