Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) – The NCAA men’s basketball title heads back to Mendiola.
The San Beda Red Lions defeated the Arellano University, 83-73, in Game 2 of the finals to capture their 20th NCAA title on Tuesday evening at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Arnaud Noah registered a double-double of 18 points and 11 rebounds for the Red Lions.
He was also named Finals MVP.
A couple of huge three-pointers put the Red Lions at the driver’s seat heading into the halftime break, 45-40.
Davon Potts was held scoreless in the first three quarters but delivered the goods during the payoff period.
He buried a clutch triple to push San Beda’s lead to five, 78-73, with only 1:48 left in the match.
Potts scored all of his 10 points in the final quarter.
The Jamike Jarin-mentored squad became the winningest school in NCAA men’s seniors basketball history after sweeping Arellano.
AC Soberano had 16 points while Robert Bollick added 13 markers for the Red Lions.
Arellano’s Jio Jalalon had a game-high 19 points and 10 assists before fouling out in the dying seconds of the game.
The scores:
San Beda (83) – Noah 18, Soberano 16, Bolick 13, Mocon 11, Potts 10, Sara 7, Presbitero 5, Adamos 2, Bonsubre 2, Tongco 0.
Arellano (73) – Jalalon 19, Enriquez 14, Nichols 12, Canete 8, Gumaru 6, Meca 5, Salado 4, Cadavis 4, Flores 1, Aguilar 0, Enriquez 0,
Quarterscores: 18-25, 45-40, 63-60, 83-73.
