San Beda finishes off Lyceum, wins back-to-back NCAA titles

MANILA, Philippines – Lyceum Pirates’ immaculate eliminations record went to the drain as San Beda Red Lions devoured them, 92-82 to win NCAA Season 93 Men’s Basketball Championship and back-to-back titles on Thursday, November 16 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

San Beda finishes off Lyceum, wins back-to-back titles

Just a week ago, when the two college teams collided in the finals primer, San Beda’s championship experience prevailed. The defending champions rallied and silenced the Pirates.

San Beda was in complete control of the early phase of the opening quarter with PBA-bound Davon Potts leading the way while MVP CJ Perez initiated the scoring for Lyceum with a breakaway slam dunk. Lyceum caught up with San Beda and promptly snatched the lead, 10-5.

After a 5-minute long scoring drought, Red Lions finally broke the ice courtesy of Franz Abuda’s triple. However, Pirates still had the lead as the 1st quarter ended, 22-17.

It was raining three points and looked like a shooting contest as both teams began the 2nd quarter. Davon Potts and Javee Mocon went against LPU team captain Jesper Ayaay.

The fans really witnessed a very exciting ball game as the protagonists traded bodies all over the floor and fought hard for every ball possession, it was Lyceum that got most of the loose balls and offensive boards but were not able to convert them.

CJ Perez once again made an ecstatic wide-opened dunk that pumped up the entire LPU bench. On the other hand, Davon Potts continued to wax hot from the rainbow country and kept the game close. 47-41 In favor of the Pirates after the first 20 minutes of game number 2.

There was no slowing down for CJ Perez. The MVP had already recorded 13 points in the 1st half and added 5 quick more at the start of the third. But the Lions promptly retaliated to prevent the Pirates from breaking away.

Midway of the 3rd period, San Beda was behind by just 2 points that alarmed Coach Topex Robinson who was also forced to call a timeout. Robinson’s cease fire however was wasted as his boys committed a turnover that paved a way for San Beda to level the score to 55-all.

Robert Bolick who was very silent in the previous quarters made a crucial three pointer for the lead but Jesper Ayaay answered Bolick with a trey of his own to regain the lead and end the period 66-65.

The three-point shootout carried on as the Red Lions and the Pirates unfolded the last quarter. San Beda finally managed to grab the lead 73-71 with 7 more minutes remaining in the game.

San Beda widened the margin to 4 with under 3 minutes but Lyceum wanted to stay alive and started trailing the Lions.

50 seconds left in the game clock and the Red Lions were up 89-82. King Lion Robert Bolick struck the Pirates with a dagger trey.

CJ Perez who was very active in the first 3 quarters was all of a sudden became stale and went scoreless in the final quarter. Perez apparently consumed his personal fouls at the 00:36 mark and signaled the Pirates’ downfall.

Donald Tankoua put the icing on the cake as he drained his foul shots and officially ended the series 92-82.

— Joey Boy Capos, The Summit Express



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