Lions go for kill to extend reign

Games Wednesday

(MOA Arena)

11 a.m. – Mapua vs San Beda (jrs)

1:30 p.m. – San Beda vs Arellano (srs)

MANILA, Philippines – The San Beda-Arellano University Season 90 NCAA title series is being drummed up as a "Dynasty against Destiny" duel. The Lions have a chance to achieve both.

A couple of days after imposing their will and displaying championship poise in a 74-66 victory in Game One, the Lions go for the kill against the inexperienced Chiefs at the MOA Arena in Pasay City Wednesday that will further cement their status as the most dominant team of the last decade.

The Lions are gunning for a fifth straight championship, their longest title reign, that will put them alongside the San Sebastian Stags (1993-97), Mapua Red Robins (1968-72) and the San Beda Cubs (2009-13).

If San Beda wraps it up in Game Two, it will snare its 19th seniors title, or three away from closest pursuer Letran with 16.

Game time is at 1:30 p.m.

A decider, if necessary, is on Saturday at the same venue.

In the juniors' finale, the Mapua Red Robins gor a sweep against the San Beda Cubs at 11 a.m.

Mapua overran San Beda, the five-peat champion, with an 84-75 win in Game One also last Monday and a win Wednesday would clinch the Red Robins their 21st crown, surpassing the Red Robins with 20 titles and reclaiming its old status as the most titled high school team in the NCAA.

"We just want to give the title back to Mapua, that's what we are all striving for," said Mapua mentor Randy Alcantara.

San Beda looked the more experienced team in the series opener when they led by as much as 15 points and never trailed.

The closest Arellano, which is enjoying its best season since entering the league five seasons back, could get was when it clawed back from that 15-point deficit and forge a 31-all deadlock early in the second quarter.

But the Lions, who have made the finals the last nine seasons and winning seven of the last eight including a four-peat feat the last four years, never panicked and checked their nerves in time to regain control.

"We know we're coming into the series armed with the championship experience," said San Beda coach Boyet Fernandez. "In Game One, we showed it and took advantage of the other team's lack of championship experience."

That flaw was evident when Arellano U's main men all succumbed to pressure and showed jitters.

Pro-bound Prince Caperal and Nards Pinto vanished while Jio Jalalon, a member of the Mythical First Team and All-Defensive Team and the Most Improved Player, fouled out early and outside gunner Levi Hernandez hatched an egg.

American Dioncee Holts had 11 points but he was devoured whole b y Nigerian behemoth Ola Adeogun, who bulldozed his way to 14 points, 14 rebounds and four blocks while dishing out three assists.

Even Keith Agovida, the Chiefs' lone bright spot with 14 points and a game-high 17 boards, had trouble at the foul line where he missed nine of the 13 he attempted.

"We just didn't level up, we played with jitters," said Arellano coach Jerry Codinera.

It helped San Beda that Baser Amer and Fil-Aussie Anthony Semerad have stepped up huge with the two conspiring in the early run when they led 11-0 and 26-11.