Araneta Coliseum
NCAA 2017 News: The San Beda Red Lions cracked the Lyceum Pirates, 92-82, to record their 21st NCAA Men’s basketball championship title at the Araneta Coliseum. Robert Bolick wowed the 14,693 watching fans with his 18 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists. Donald Tankoua also made waves with his monstrous 17 markers and 17 caroms, while David Potts chipped-in 15 baskets.
The Red Lions used their championship experience to end the best-of-three series with a convincing Game 2 Finals victory. San Beda banked on the maturity of pointman Bolick who made clutch plays for the Red Lions down the stretch. Bolick swished the heart-stopping three point bomb with 50 seconds remaining in the game to push them ahead, 92-89. Tankoua, coming-off an ACL injury, also made his presence felt in the paint with double-double 17 baskets and 17 rebounds.
Bolick emphasized that their experience netted them the NCAA Season 93 crown, and also praised his able rivals, “Itong finals na ito, kung pwede lang dalawa ang champion, ibibigay ko sa kanila. They really deserve it. It’s our experience in the finals – ‘yun lang siguro ang edge namin sa kanila.”
Meanwhile, Beda Coach Boyet Fernandez had nothing but praise for his wards, “They really wanted to win this game, pero sobrang excited sila. This championship will not be a reality if not for my players, they deserve to win this championship. We know in the course of the season, people doubted us. But this team never doubted each other.”
San Beda College sent a crushing blow to the title hopes of the Lyceum of the Philippines University, who had a monstrous NCAA eliminations record of 18 wins with no losses. LPU also had NCAA MVP CJ Perez on their side, yet Lyceum suffered dismal shooting in Game 2 the Finals game. They made only 7 of 25 three point shots, and had only 10 of 24 freethrows converted.
Reigning NCAA 93 MVP CJ Perez led the losing Lyceum side with 22 points, 4 rebounds, 5 assists and 3 steals before fouling out. Mike Harry Nzeusseu meanwhile added 15 baskets and 15 boards for the Pirates.
Bolick 18, Tankoua 17, Potts 15, Mocon 14, Soberano 11, Abuda 5, Bahio 5, Presbitero 3, Doliguez 2, Noah 2, Tongco 0, Adamos 0
Perez 22, Nzeusseu 15, Marcelino JC 12, Ayaay 7, Caduyac 6, Santos 6, Tansingco 5, Marcelino JV 4, Pretta 2, Serrano 2, Ibanez 1, Baltazar 0
17-22, 41-47, 65-66, 92-82. SAN BEDA Wins
