BACK-TO-BACK: SAN BEDA SWEEPS LETRAN EN ROUTE TO 13TH N.C.A.A. CROWN

By Zenaida Dadacay
Business Mirror
September 27, 2007



San Beda College rode a strong first quarter to beat Letran, 76-64, and clinch its second consecutive championship in the National Collegiate Athletic Association yesterday at the Araneta Coliseum.

Leaving nothing to chance, the Red Lions opened the first period with a fiery 15-0 run to grab the early lead, 26-12.

Pro-bound Yousif Aljamal did most of the damage in that period as he scattered 12 points, while Bam-Bam Gamalinda chipped in six in the Red Lions’ early assault.

The Red Lions’ patented run-and-gun style worked to the hilt and spelled the difference for San Beda as the defending champions posted their biggest lead, 43-29, going into the locker room.

Letran shook off the shock of an early blitzkrieg, retaliating with a 12-0 run capped by back-to-back baskets by Knights guard John Melegrito to narrow a 43-31 deficit to a 52-47 score less than 1:40 remaining in the third.

But Ogie Menor, the finals Most Valuable Player who contemplated leaving San Beda after high school, ignited a 14-4 run highlighted by a three-point play and a three-pointer that snuffed the life out of the Knights.

With Menor and Aljamal at the helm, the Red Lions dominated all departments that reduced the upset-conscious Knights to mere mortals.

First-year coach Frankie Lim was part of the San Beda team that held the diadem for two consecutive years in 1977 and 1978.

Menor finished with 25 points, 12 in the fourth quarter.

“Dati naisip kong umalis sa San Beda, but I decided to stay kasi mahal ko ang school, dito na ako lumaki. Worth it naman,” Menor, a sophomore guard, said.

Aljamal finished with 24 points, 10 rebounds, and two blocks, contributing significantly in his last game wearing a Red Lions jersey. Sam Ekwe, who chipped in only four points, grabbed a game-high 13 boards.

“We’re really happy to be part of history and we really feel blessed that we were given the opportunity to keep the crown for the second straight year,” said pro-bound Aljamal.

In the juniors’ division, the San Sebastian Staglets captured their third straight title after carving out an 88-83 win against the Letran Squires also for a sweep of their best-of-three finals series.

Junior’s Most Valuable Player Ryan Buenafe exploded for 37 points, while Arvie Bringas added 24 points and 23 rebounds.

“Ito na siguro ’yung pinakamasarap na panalo namin. Three straight years na kaming namamayagpag and we are hoping to extend it next season. Sana makaapat,” said Staglets coach Raymond Valenzona who matched the San Beda Red Cubs’ three-peat that happened between 2002 and 2004.

Louie Alas, architect of three championships for Letran, said his team was young and has a bright future ahead of it.

“We don’t need to feel sorry. Kung titingnan ang bigger picture we already overachieved kasi wala namang nag-expect na makakarating kami dito. This is a very young team, this could be the start of something bigger for us,” Alas said.

Letran is still the winningest NCAA team with 16 championships, followed by Ateneo (14) and San Beda (13).