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DEFENDING champion San Beda College poured out their might in the
final half to carve a 74-51 win over College of St. Benilde Friday
in the 84th National Collegiate Athletic Association basketball
tournament at the Cuneta Astrodome.
As expected, the 6’8” Nigerian Sam Ekwe
dominated both the offensive and defensive boards with 20 rebounds
to go with his 12-point output to post his third double-double
performance this season.
“I think, we are back in our usual running
game. We played seriously in all four quarters. Even if we committed
several turnovers early in the first half, but we still lead by 16
points,” said San Beda coach Frankie Lim, also a member of the Red
Lions that won the title in 1978-1979.
Ekwe, the league’s Rookie-MVP in 2006, also
had 3 steals and 3 blocks for the Red Lions, who are aiming for
their third straight crown.
Besides Ekwe, Lim praised Pong Escobal, who
finished with 13 points after recovering from a typhoid fever.
“We controlled the board and that enabled us
to score and run and even forced them to shoot from the outside
only,” added Lim.
A relentless offense by Ekwe, Escobal and Oggie
Menor gave San Beda a commanding 72-49 lead going into the final
1:23.
Chuck Dalanon led the Blazers with 14 points
followed by Archie David with 9 points and Aaron Umlas with 8.
In the high school division, Letran won over
University of Perpetual Help 94-74 while St. Benilde stunned San
Beda 86-70.
-- Frank Calapre
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