9th FMC Finals: It's Red Versus Green

NCAA teams San Beda Red Lions and St. Benilde Blazers booked a finals encounter in the 9th Fr. Martin Cup Collegiate Open tournament after contrasting wins in the semis against fellow NCAA members Arellano University and Letran College on Saturday at the Trinity University of Asia gym. The Red Lions, who are seeking a fourth straight FMC Open title, used a solid running game to pull away in the third quarter and score a convincing 75-65 victory over the Chiefs. But the Blazers needed the end-game heroics of veteran point guard Luis Sinco to survive the Knights, 63-61.

Rome Dela Rosa, Ola Adeogun and Baser Amer combined for 36 markers for the Red Lions, while Arellano was led by John Pinto’s 19 points. The Chiefs missed the services of main man James Forrester as well as head coach Koy Banal, who had to join the San Mig Coffee Mixers in a PBA out-of-town game in Naga City. The Arellano Chiefs are thought by many to be the biggest threat to San Beda’s four-peat quest in the NCAA this season. Compared to last year’s roster, the Chiefs seem to have a deeper rotation now with so many skilled guards and outside shooters. Their biggest handicap, at least for now, is the lack of post players that can lock horns with Adeogun in the shaded area. continue reading here

source: Coach Jude Roque/ Y! Sports