Red Lions seek perfect ending

MANILA, Philippines - Winner of 19 straight games, San Beda guns for one more that would complete a perfect NCAA cage season.

But coach Frankie Lim told his wards not to think of the looming sweep but instead focus on putting an end to their series with San Sebastian.

“It’s a matter of closing out,” said Lim on the eve of Game Two of the best-of-five finals. “We should not think of the sweep and what happened before. But we have to focus all our efforts tomorrow (today).”

The Lions outlasted the Stags, 93-73, in the series opener last Wednesday to take a commanding 2-0 lead. San Beda went into the playoff with an outright 1-0 edge for completing a historic 16-game sweep of the double-round elims.

Although pressure is expected to mount more on the Lions than the Stags, the Mendiola-based squad remains confident of nailing their 15th overall crown and completing a perfect season.

Gametime is at 4 p.m. at the Araneta Coliseum.

San Beda is also going for a sweep of juniors crown as the Red Cubs try to wrap up their own series with the Staglets at 2 p.m.

The last school to achieve the sweep was no less than San Sebastian, which did the trick in 1996 as part of the school’s unprecedented five-peat feat.

SSC is also going for its own version of a sweep – beat San Beda in three games to snatch the crown. But coach Ato Agustin said it will be tough.

“It’s going to be tough coming back from a 0-2 deficit but we’re not giving up because we know in our hearts that there is still hope,” said Agustin.

The Stags, who are eyeing their 13th crown, will pin their hopes on Calvin Abueva, Ronald Pascual skipper John Raymundo but would need the support of the bench to keep up with the roaring Lions.

“We really need to get something out of my second unit for us to have a chance in this series,” said Agustin.

The Lions said they are ready as they brace for another physical match with the Stags.

“We’re expecting the worse but we have to observe maximum tolerance, focus on winning the championship and not hurting people,” said Lim.

Pro-bound Borgie Hermida is expected to spearhead the Lions’ bid again the way he did in Game One where he fired 18 points, pulled down 13 rebounds, made four assists, three steals and a block.

Lim also hopes to draw the best from Garvo Lanete, Sudan Daniel, Rome dela Rosa and Anthony Semerad as the Lions try to make their final roar to NCAA history.

Joey Villar, Philippine Star