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[av_heading heading=’San Beda conquers Arellano to claim its 20th NCAA crown ‘ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=” subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=”]
By ADRIAN STEWART CO
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MANILA – Davon Potts waxed hot late in the game as San Beda Red Lions clinched the NCAA Season 92 men’s basketball crown with an 83-73 win over the Arellano University Chiefs in Game 2 of the finals on Tuesday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Scoreless in the first three quarters, Potts made his move in the final quarter with three 3-point conversions for the Red Lions, which reclaimed the championship it lost to the Letran Knights last season.
Trailing 66-63 early in the final frame, Potts came up with back-to-back triples to give the Red Lions a 69-68 lead. The edge later grew to 78-73 with just under two minutes left in the match following another triple by Potts.
Finals MVP Arnaud Noah led the way with double-double 18 points and 11 rebounds, while Amiel Soberano added 16 for the Red Lions, which bagged its 20th NCAA crown overall, and its ninth in the last 11 seasons.
“I give credit to Arellano Chiefs for giving us a good fight. I am glad that the players were able to deliver to the adjustments made by Arellano in Game 2,” said Red Lions head coach Michael Jay Jarin.
The Red Lions had a strong 7-3 start behind Jayvee Mocon and Robert Bolick but the Chiefs quickly answered back behind Jiovanni Jalalon and Zachary Nicholls for a 25-18 lead.
The Red Lions rallied back at the start of the second frame to tie the score at 27-all on triples by Roldan Sara and Bolick. Soberano later turned on the heat for the Red Lions with three triples for a 45-40 halftime lead.
The Red Lions continued its surge in the third canto to build its largest lead at 52-42 on conversions by Soberano, Bolick and Jun Bonsubre but the Chiefs leaned on back-to-back triples by Nicholls to tie the score at 63-all.
Both teams were knotted in several tight exchanges in the final quarter until the Red Lions leaned on the exploits of Potts to snatch a 78-73 edge. It later grew to 10-points following a split free throw.
Jalalon top-scored with 19 points, while Allen Enriquez and Nicholls added 14 and 12 markers respectively for the Chiefs, which captured its second first runner-up trophy in the last three seasons./PN
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