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By Emil Noguera Correspondent
SAN BEDA COLLEGE banked on the
explosive performances of pro-bound Yousif Aljamal and Ogie Menor in
the fourth quarter to sweep the National Collegiate Athletic
Association seniors basketball best-of-three title series via a
76-64 win over Letran College Wednesday at the Araneta Coliseum.
Aljamal had 24 points, 10
rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals and 2 blocks while Menor topscored
with 26 points, including 12 in the fourth quarter, as the Red Lions
scored their second back-to-back titles since 1977 and 1978.
“Sobrang special ang
championship na ito para sa akin kasi last year ko na sa team,”
said Aljamal, who will make his debut in the Philippine Basketball
Association next month.
Aljamal was earlier named to the
mythical team together with Most Valuable Player Kelvin de la Pena (Mapua),
Marvin Hayes (JRU), Byran Faundo (CSJL) and Dino Daa (Letran).
Menor, who played for the Red
Cubs before joining the Lions, said he was happy to have stayed in
San Beda. “Blessing itong title para sa akin.”
Frankie Lim also expressed his
joy after winning his first title as coach.
“I’m very happy for the boys,
they deserved to win. They practiced hard everyday and they are very
intelligent,” said Lim, a member of San Beda’s first
back-to-back champion team.
In junior’s division, San
Sebastian outplayed Letran, 88-83, to sweep their own best-of-three
championship series.
Ryan Buenafe, named league and
finals MVP, scored 37 points while Arvie Bringas chipped in 24
points on top of 23 rebounds as the Staglets captured their third
straight title.
“Ito na siguro ‘yung
pina-kamasarap na panalo namin. Three straight years na kaming
namamayagpag and we are hoping to extend it next season. Sana
makaapat,” said coach Raymond Valenzona after the Staglets
duplicated the Red Cubs’ three consecutive titles from 2002 to
2004 under coach Ato Badolato.
Scores:
San Beda 76 – Menor 25, Aljamal
24, Escobal 7, Hermida 6, Gamalinda 6, Ekwe 4, Taganas 2, Tirona 2,
Marcelo 0, TEcson 0, Lanete 0, Maggay 0.
Letran 64 – Faundo 17, Jazul
14, Melegrito 8, Guevarra 6, Quinday 5, Daa 4, Gutilban 3, Dangcal
2, Foronda 2, Cabonce 2, del Rosario 1, Reposar 0.
Quarters: 26-12, 43-29, 57-49,
76-64.
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