Lions, Stags favorites as NCAA Final Four starts

10/16/2009

Three-peat titlist San Beda and San Sebastian bring everything on the table against different foes as they aim to forge an interesting showdown for the 85th NCAA men’s basketball title at The Arena in San Juan City.

The Lions, who edged the Stags twice, 71-67, in their last elimination round game Monday and then scored a 71-65 win in the rubber match for the top seeding Wednesday, face off with the Rey Guevarra-less Letran Knights, the No. 4 seeds, at 2 p.m. needing just a victory to advance to the best-of-three championship for the fourth straight season.

The Jimbo Aquino-less Stags, who flirted with a historic sweep after zooming to a 15-0 (win-loss) start before dropping three of their last four outings to skid to No. 2, for their part, square off with No. 3 the Jose Rizal Bombers, last year’s runners up, in the other Final Four duel at 4 p.m.

Aquino, the league’s second leading scorer with an average of 20.3 points a game, will serve his one-game suspension today for a disqualifying foul he incurred for punching San Beda’s Jake Pascual in their third quarter of their painful loss at the hands of the Lions.

The Knights would be without the talented Guevarra, a Smart Gilas Pilipinas player who tore his left ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) in their game against the Lions two weeks ago that put an end to what has been a colorful collegiate career.

Letran might also see action with promising rookie Kevin Alas, who sprained an ankle in practice a few days back and listed as day-to-day, as doubtful starter.

And although they would be without banger Jay-R Taganas, who is resting after banging the back of his head on the floor after a bad fall a month ago, the red-hot Lions should be the heavy favorites against the hurting Knights because they would not only bring championship experience on the table but also the momentum of their recent victories over the Stags.

San Beda coach Frankie Lim, however, was quick to downplay their chances saying Letran always plays tougher when they play against them.

“We have nothing to be confident about because Letran always play their best against us and they play tougher in a game this big so we have to be ready,” said Lim, who has finished on top after the double-round elimination since he took over from Koy Banal three seasons back.

Letran mentor Louie Alas said beating San Beda twice would be like climbing two mountains.

“It will be a tall older, we’re 0-4 against them the past two seasons mainly because of their superior line-up and good coaching but law of averages will be on our side plus the burning desire of my players to go to the level minus Rey Guevarra,” said Alas.

“But for sure, it would be tough beating, like climbing a mountain two times,” he added.

In juniors’ action, No. 1 San Beda and No. 2 Letran also try to arrange their own title series as the two hope to finish off No. 3 San Sebastian, the reigning four-peat titlist, and No. 4 Jose Rizal, respectively.

Although seeded lower, Jose Rizal should have the slight edge against San Sebastian thanks to the absence of Aquino and the emergence of 6’7” Cameroonian rookie Joe Etame.

Jose Rizal mentor Ariel Vanguardia refused to believe this though.

“The Stags are the only team we have yet to beat this season. We are thankful that we’ve been given this opportunity to redeem ourselves. It’s going to be a battle, we should have all cylinders firing,” he said.

Lim’s wariness against Letran could be attributed to what happened to San Beda in the Final Four last year.

As the No. 1 seed, the Lions dropped their first match against the gritty Mapua Cardinals, 51-53, and then had some anxious moments in the deciding match before prevailing, 60-53, to join the Bombers in the finals where they went on to complete the three-peat feat.

“We have to stay focus and execute well, we can’t afford to be complacent,” said Lim.

Back to top

For comments about this website:Webmaster@tribune.net.ph
The Daily Tribune © 2006