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| San Beda poised with the NCAA Men's Basketball trophy after sweeping Arellano in the Finals, becoming the first hosts since Letran in 2005 to win it all. |
PASAY—They're the kings of the NCAA again!
The San Beda Red Lions reclaimed the league's men's basketball championship after beating the Arellano Chiefs, 83-73, in Game 2 of the finals at the Mall of Asia Arena on Tuesday.
San Beda completed a sweep of the best-of-three series against Arellano to win its ninth title in 11 years and 20th overall, solidifying its status as the league's winningest team.
The Chiefs, looking to force a deciding Game 3, went off to a hot start, bucking Jio Jalalon's early foul trouble to lead, 25-18.
But the Red Lions outscored them, 27-15, in the second quarter as last year's runners-up entered halftime with a 45-40 advantage.
San Beda tried to pull away early in the third quarter, but Arellano stayed close later in the period, setting up a seesaw battle in the early goings of the fourth.
The Red Lions clinched the title after going on an 11-0 run in the last 2:20 of the game.
Arnaud Noah led San Beda with 18 points, 11 rebounds, and two assists. He would be awarded the finals MVP plum.
Acee Soberano added 16 points on four triples.
Dan Sara put up a good all-around performance in his swan song, tallying seven points, six rebounds, and six assists.
Jalalon almost tallied a triple-double for Arellano, getting 19 markers, 10 assists, and seven boards.
However, he did not get enough help from his fellow key players, as Kent Salado only made four points, Lervin Flores only made one point, and Dioncee Holts went scoreless.
Zach Nicholls added 12 markers, but he went 4-of-13 from downtown.
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