‘Game Two a total war’

By Zenaida Dadacay
Business Mirror
September 26, 2007




OFFENSE wins games, but defense gets the championship.

This was Louie Alas’s message as the Letran coach expressed determination to get back at San Beda College in Game Two of their best-of-three finals series in the 83rd National Collegiate Athletic Association men’s basketball tournament today at the Areneta Coliseum.

Game Two starts at 4 p.m.

Alas vowed no red balloons will fall today and that there will be a Game Three.

Ranged against the star-laden defending champions, the underdog Knights try to spoil the Red Lions’ celebration in the game where pride and glory are at stake.

“Our game today is a total war. We should come up with great intensity and cohesion to extend the series,” Alas added.

That’s exactly the kind of resolve Alas wants after the beating his team took in Game One.

After the Knights were in command early in Game One, the Red Lions came back to draw first blood, 76-68, last week.

In that game, Letran was caught flatfooted in the second half, no thanks to the offensive spark provided by fearless guard Ogie Menor, intimidating Sam Ekwe, and probound Yousif Aljamal.

Alas offered no excuses for the Knights’ collapse, saying the Knights’ transition defense caught his charges off-guard, especially Letran’s big men.

“We have to be extra careful next time. We have to beat their defense,” said Alas.

“The series is not yet over, may Game Three pa ’yan. But to win Game Two my big men will have to play solid defense as well as deliver baskets,” he added.

The Red Lions, on the other hand, are raring to end the series to finally savor their first consecutive championships since the Chito Loyzaga era in 1978.

“I’m very sure they will have some adjustments but we’ll ready for them. The boys are really determined to win the series,” said San Beda coach Frankie Lim.

Menor, who finished with 23 points, came through in the clutch, specifically in the last four minutes to bury the Knights for good.

Lim also stressed that besides defense, the Red Lions must limit their turnovers and work more on their shooting.

San Beda made 16-of-31 from the field the last time, but committed 26 turnovers.

The Red Lions have won 12 seniors’ championships, while Letran has 16, the most in the college level in the NCAA.

In juniors’ action, San Sebastian Staglets shoots for their third straight title against the Letran Squires in Game Two of their best-of-three series, also set today at 2 p.m..

The Staglets got the upper hand following their convincing 90-72 win against the Squires.

The announcement of the league Most Valuable Player and individual awardees follow the juniors’ game.