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FOR
coach Ariel Vanguardia, it’s dynasty versus destiny when
his Jose Rizal University (JRU) Heavy Bombers collide
with the “three-peat-seeking” San Beda Red Lions in the
best-of-three showdown for the 84th National Collegiate
Athletic Association (NCAA) men’s basketball crown
starting today at the expected-to-be-jam-packed Araneta
Coliseum.
“It’s
dynasty versus destiny. While they [Red Lions] are
looking to continue their dynasty, we believe that we’re
destined to finally win a championship after a very long
time,” said Vanguardia, who is trying to steer JRU to
its first NCAA title in 36 years.
“We
believe that we didn’t go this far just to be a
bridesmaid. We believe that we can win the crown, and
we’ll do whatever it takes to achieve that goal,” added
the young mentor.
Game One
tips off at 4 p.m., right after the juniors’ finals
featuring four-peat-seeking San Sebastian Staglets
against the Letran Squires at 2 p.m.
Although
without a certified superstar, the Heavy Bombers managed
to defy tremendous odds to pull the rug from other
talent-laden teams to book their first finals appearance
in seven years.
JRU
actually started the season on the wrong foot, losing
its first two games before finding its groove and
winning eight consecutive games. The Mandaluyong-based
squad finished the elimination round with a 9-5 record,
and after a series of playoff matches clinched the No.2
seed in the Final Four.
The
Heavy Bombers came from behind to edge last year’s
losing finalist Letran Knights, 63-61, to move within
two wins from bringing home the title, a feat last
achieved by a Philip Cesar-led crew in 1972.
“We’re
very hungry, and given this chance to finally end our
drought, hindi namin palalampasin ito,” said
Vanguardia.
But to
do so, they have to contend with a team led by the
league’s best player.
San Beda
is looking to win three successive titles for the first
time since the prewar era from 1934 to 1936.
The Red
Lions, who finished the eliminations with a
tournament-best 11-3 slate to secure the No. 1 seed,
disposed of the Mapua Cardinals in two Final Four
matches to keep their three-peat bid alive.
“I think
our Final Four experience made us even stronger, and
we’re confident that we can overcome the remaining
challenges and win the crown. But we’re taking it one
game at a time,” said San Beda coach Frankie Lim.
The
sophomore bench tactician is expecting that his team
could utilize all it advantages, especially inside the
paint through the intimidating presence of Nigerian
behemoth Sam Ekwe.
Ekwe,
who is undoubtedly the biggest factor in the Red Lions’
success that began upon his arrival two years ago, will
be named the league’s Most Valuable Player this season,
the second time he won the most prestigious individual
award.
But he
will have to join forces with fellow starters Pong
Escobal, Borgy Hermida and Ogie Menor, or else they
might yield to the upset ax of the Heavy Bombers.
JRU will
be led by slotman John Sena, Marc Cagoco and John
Wilson.
The Red
Lions and the Heavy Bombers split their head-to-head
duels in the preliminaries with the latter winning in
the first round, 79-74, and the former topping the
second, 71-59.
The
winner will have a chance to close the series and
celebrate a title conquest on Friday also at the Big
Dome. |
