Animo Vs. Arriba: The Final Battle

It’s been a familiar scene for San Beda College.

For the past seven years, the Red Lions have been in the NCAA basketball tournament finals. They won five and they are going for a sixth title today.

They actually don’t need a victory to validate their claim as an NCAA dynasty. They also don’t need a victory to make them the decade’s most dominant NCAA team. They are both and no team is even close to matching their records.

But they are going for the title as though they’re gunning for their first – hungry, eager and determined.

But standing in their way is Letran, whose never-say-die mantra may end San Beda’s bid for a third straight title.

The Knights have faced win-or-go-home situations three times the past two weeks and this resiliency may come in handy when they seek their first title in seven years.

Game time is 1 p.m. at the Smart Araneta Coliseum where an overflow crowd is expected as both squads play a winner-take-all Game 3.

Also at stake are some bragging rights. The champion becomes the winningest NCAA team in history, breaking a 16-all tie.

The Knights faced elimination during the semifinals where they played San Sebastian which had a twice-to-beat advantage and then they also faced ouster in the second game of the best-of-three title series against San Beda.

They survived the ordeals.

Now it has come down to this one game where all the marbles are at stake and both schools are determined not to let this one slip away.

San Beda’s rookie coach Ronnie Magsanoc won the first game, 62-60, but was outfoxed in the second game, 64-55, when Letran coach Louie Alas made some adjustments.

Magsanoc admitted some defensive lapses.

“All we have to do is try to look at where our defensive breakdowns were,” he said,” and likewise, bakit hindi kami naka-execute during those crucial quarters."

"I was looking at the way we were defending, and I thought we played our best defensive effort in the third quarter. But in the fourth, we gave up the most points," Magsanoc said.

"As I've said, if we allow offense versus offense with this team, mahihirapan kami. So I guess it's a good teaching point for us."

Letran is hoping that the distractions of the past few days are behind them.

Alas faced a one-game suspension for directing a slit-throat gesture at NCAA technical committee head Romy Guevarra who likewise was in hot water for giving a dirty finger sign at Alas.

Both were exonerated by the NCAA management committee after making written apologies.

"Practice lang kami. Hindi namin pinag-usapan yung mga nangyari para hindi sila mawala sa focus. Alam naman nila na I'm always after their welfare," said Alas.

Looking for his fourth title in six finals appearances with the Knights, Alas said they still need to push harder against  San Beda.

"Bale wala yung lahat ng pinaghirapan namin sa season kung hindi namin mapa-followup. Naglaro lang kami several notches higher than our efforts nung Game 1. Sa Game 3, dapat higitan pa namin yun," Alas said.

Key stops must be made against San Beda’s Nigerian star Ola Adeogun, the latest in a long line of Africans that have keyed the Lions’ decade long dominance.

There’s also Romeo Dela Rosa, Jake Pascual, Anjo Caram and Baser Amer who are expected to carry the load for San Beda.

For Letran, it’s championship hopes will depend on the performance of Kevin Alas, one of coach Louie's sons.

The young Alas has been the leading scorer for the team and if he falters, Jonathan Belorio, Carlo Lituania, Mark Cruz, Jam Cortes, Kevin Racal and Raymond Almazan must step up.

"Di ka mananalo sa San Beda ng isang player lang mag-ii-step-up. Knowing coach Ronnie, lahat ng mga bagong ginawa namin sa Game 2, makikita nya, makaka-counter nya. Kaya kailangang i-counter din namin yong gagawin nila," the coach Alas said.

source: MB Sports