| San Sebastian Stags dethrone Lions, captures NCAA title NCAA Press Release, Sun, Oct 25, 2009  San Sebastian shut down San Beda in the fourth quarter as it carved out a masterful 76-61 come-from-behind victory yesterday to clinch its first title in seven years in the 85th NCAA basketball tournament at the packed Araneta Coliseum. Jimbo Aquino spewed 15 of his 16 points in the second half including 10 in the fourth quarter before being taken out late in the game after he hurt a knee but it was the defence of the Stags in the fourth quarter that spelled the difference. Trailing almost all throughout the match, San Sebastian toughened up its defence in the final period by holding San Beda, champion the last three seasons, to just five fouls shots and no field goals that sealed the former its first title in seven seasons and 12th overall, two behind its recent victim. It also marked the third straight time that the Stags beat the Lions in the finals since the former beat the latter in the championship series of 1996 and 1997. The Stags were already celebrating as early as two minutes remaining in the game after leading 69-58 and the Lions missing almost every shot they attempted from the field and the foul line. The Lions, consoled by legions of their red-clad fans including league president and San Beda rector Fr. Mat de Jesus, OSB, were on the other side, some stunned while most of them crying for their failure to win the school their first ever four-peat feat. “I’m happy we won on my first year,” said Ato Agustin, who duplicated the feat accomplished by San Beda mentor Frankie Lim when he steered the Lions to the 2007 title on his rookie season.  Aquino, who spewed 24 points in a 72-68 triumph in Thursday’s opener, was adjudged the Finals MVP, which came as a reprieve after he was stripped of a place in the Mythical Five for a disqualification foul he incurred in an elimination round loss, ironically against San Beda.
“It’s really, really sweet,” said the soft-spoken team captain, playing his fifth and last season. Gilbert Bulawan and Ronald Pascual scattered 15 and 12 points, respectively, while John Raymundo had 11 points, eight assists and five rebounds to help the cause. Calvin Abueva, who had a monster effort in Game One with 10 points, 23 boards and five blocks, was hobbled by foul trouble but still finished with five points including a clutch tip in a crucial run in the fourth quarter. Lim, for his part, was all praise on the Stags. “I have to give it to coach Ato (Agustin) and the Stags, they are not expected to be in the finals and they wiped us out,” said Lim, who suffered his first finals loss since helping win the Mendiola-based school to the last two of its three-peat feat. The scores: San Sebastian 76- Aquino 16, Bulawan 15, Pascual 12, Raymundo 11, Najorda 5, Abueva 5, Gatchalian 4, del Rio 3, Sangalang 2, Maconocido 2, Semira 1 San Beda 61- Lanete 16, Pascual 11, Tecson 10, Caram 6, Marcelo 6, Daniel 4, Hermida 4, Gamalinda 2, dela Rosa 2, Taganas 0, Tirona 0 Quarterscores: 14-19; 28-38; 54-56; 61-76 |
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