Lions rarin’ to end 28-year wait

The San Beda Red Lions try to end their almost three decades of frustration with a sweep as they take on the Philippine Christian University Dolphins in Game Two of the 82nd NCAA Finals before an expected packed crowd at the Araneta Coliseum.

If the outcome of the series’ opener Monday would be any indication, the Mendiola-based cagers could be in for a big bash tonight, a kind of celebration they’re not accustomed to, having been title-less since 1978.

The Lions, the elims topnotcher, smashed the Dolphins, 71-57, in Game One behind a torrid attack in the second half to move closer to a dream title run in the country’s oldest collegiate league.

"I would be a hypocrite if I say I don’t feel confident of winning the title," said San Beda coach Koy Banal, who was still in high school when the Lions, then led by Chito Loyzaga, Frankie Lim and JB Yango, won the school’s last crown.

Nigerian Samuel Ekwe, who became the second rookie MVP in three years, is expected to spearhead the Lions’ charge after dishing out a seven-point, 14-rebound performance in Game One. He also finished with six shot blocks and three steals.

Ekwe’s imposing inside game also forced PCU to double him up, leaving his teammates open, particularly John Escobal, who had a game-high 19 points, including a clutch four-point play in the final quarter that doused cold water on the Dolphins’ rally.

Ekwe, a 22-year-old native of Lagos, said they need to have faith to win.

"Only God knows what will happen in our next game. What we need to do was to have faith that we can do it," said the soft-spoken Ekwe.

The Dolphins, however, vowed to send the series into a winner-take-all match.

"We played selfish basketball in the third quarter, we just lost our focus," said PCU coach Joel Dualan. "But we know we have one more game to make the necessary adjustments."

Defense, he added, will be crucial to the Dolphins’ cause.

"We really need to strengthen our defense especially in the final half," he said. — Joey Villar