The SBC Red Lions earned a trip to the finals by fashioning out a come-from-behind 78-72 win over reigning UAAP champion Far Eastern University in the semifinal round before their ecstatic home crowd at the San Beda gym Thursday.
The UE Warriors, on the other hand, gave Ateneo de Manila a rude welcome at the UE gym, scoring a lopsided 81-58 victory in the other pair of the knockout semis in the only home-and-away tournament organized by Waffle Marketing Inc. and sponsored by adidas, the official outfitter, and Sunbold, the official sports drink.
The Warriors, a perennial contender in the UAAP, will host the Red Lions of the NCAA in the titular clash starting at 4:30 p.m. today.
From a 42-62 deficit in the third quarter, the Red Lions fought back in the final period, with Nigerian Samuel Ekwe scoring on a slam that shoved them on top, 72-70, with barely two minutes left. From there, it was an all-Lions show as the Tamaraws, who were outscored 10-23 in the last quarter, cracked up in the face of San Beda’s determined stand and a huge pro-Red Lions crowd.
Riego Gamalinda scored 22 points and Ekwe added 16 for the Red Lions, who trailed 37-50, at the half.
JR dela Cruz topscored for FEU with 12 while RB Mangahas had 11.
The Warriors, on the other hand, had a surprisingly easier time against the Blue Eagles.
Racing to a 20-10 lead in the early going, the Recto-based cagers didn’t give Ateneo any room for a comeback as they padded their lead to 46-30 at the end of the first half.
They padded that to 72-41 on two free throws by Lawrence Briones with still 6:17 left in the game.
The Eagles tried to fight back, but Val Acuña buried a triple that practically wrapped up the match for UE.
Toto Bandaying and Marcelino Arellano scored 10 points each to lead UE, while four players–James Martinez, Briones, Elmer Espiritu and Bonbon Custodio–added eight points apiece.
Jopeth Aguilar led Ateneo with 13 points and Ken Barracoso added seven.
Today’s program will start with a three-point shootout and a slamdunk competition among players from the nine competing teams in HAIL at 2 p.m.
Over at the FEU Gym, the Lady Tamaraws battle the University of Sto. Tomas Tigresses for the women’ s crown at 2 p.m.
The awarding ceremonies for the winners in the 3-point shootout and slamdunk, the women’s championship and the MVP in women’s basketball will be held during the halftime of the UE-San Beda game, while the awarding rites for the winners in the men’s basketball and the MVP Award will be given out after the men’s senior game at 6 p.m.