Stags gun for back-to-back vs Red Lions

MANILA, Philippines - Ranged against a tall, talent-laden San Beda squad, San Sebastian hopes to lean on its championship experience as it goes for back-to-back victories in the NCAA men’s basketball finals beginning tomorrow.

“It’s going to be really difficult playing San Beda because they’re not only big, they have a deep bench,” said Ato Agustin, out to steer the Recoletos-based school to its 13th title before moving up to San Miguel in the PBA.

“The only way we can win this series is to play with a lot of heart and maybe get something out of our experience in last year’s championship,” he said.

But the Stags will also have to overcome an early 0-1 deficit in the best-of-five series as the Lions gained the edge by sweeping the 16-game double-round elims.

San Beda coach Frankie Lim had earlier said the opener will be crucial to their title drive. But it will be more imperative for the Stags to win Game One to square off the series.

San Beda needs only to win twice to clinch its 15th title overall while San Sebastian will have to beat the Lions thrice to snare its 13th crown.

Letran remains the winningest team in the league with 16 titles.

Calvin Abueva, a leading contender for the MVP award, is tipped to lead San Sebastian again after a sterling stint in the elims. – Joey Villar

where he normed 16.3 points, 12.6 rebounds, 1.6 assists, a steal and a block.

Also vying for this year’s MVP crown is San Beda’s American behemoth Sudan Daniel, who topped the league in shot blocks (4.4) and emerged No. 2 in rebounds (11.4) after the elims. He also normed 10.9 points.

“Calvin is Calvin, he always plays hard,” said Agustin, who also hopes to draw the best from John Raymundo, Ian Sangalang and returnee Jake Pasucal.

Raymundo, in his fifth and last season, poured in 10 of his 14 points in the fourth quarter to help power the Stags to a 61-52 win over the Jose Rizal Bombers in the final playoff game of the stepladder phase.

The 6-6 Sangalang, slowed down by injuries majority of the season, had 13 points and 12 rebounds while Pascual came back from a five-game layoff to fire eight points.

“I expect Ronald to be 100-percent in Game One,” said Agustin.

Philippine Star