MANILA – San Beda University Red Lions moved closer to its third straight crown. It posted a 73-60 victory over Lyceum Pirates in the NCAA Season 94 men’s basketball finals at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Jayvee Mocon top-scored with double-double 14 points and 10 rebounds.
Robert Bolick added 12 markers and nine assists while Ilonggo Clint Doliguez and Donald Tankoua had 11 and 10 points, respectively.
The Red Lions can shoot for its third consecutive NCAA men’s basketball title in Game 2 on Nov. 12 at the same venue.
After a 2-0 start by the Pirates, the Red Lions pulled away with consecutive points from Mocon for a 19-7 lead after a triple by Doliguez.
The Pirates made a run to come to within eight at the end of period.
The Red Lions tightened its defense further in the second period. It forced the Pirates to numerous turnovers, which the former took advantage to widen the lead to 43-22 at the half on hits by Bolick.
Early in the third period, the Pirates made some headway. It trimmed the Red Lions’ advantage to as low as 15 points.
The Red Lions banked on inside shots by Tankoua to bring the lead back to 20 points at 59-39.
In the fourth quarter, the Red Lions broke away from the Pirates for good. Consecutive hits from Bolick and Tankoua built the team’s largest lead of the match at 66-39 early in the final frame.
The Pirates mounted a huge fight back at the latter part of the fourth quarter to come to as close as 60-70 but a three-pointer by Amiel Cris Soberano sealed the victory for the Red Lions.
Mike Nzeusseu had double-double 16 points and 14 rebounds, while twins Jaycee and Jayvee Marcelino had identical 13 points for the Pirates, which was missing the services of star Jaymar Perez./PN
