Red Lions cop NCAA overall title

MANILA, Philippines - San Beda wound up sixth in the track and field competitions but still emerged the general champion in the 87th season of the NCAA.

The Lions garnered just 20 points in athletics behind eventual winner Jose Rizal University, San Sebastian, Perpetual Help, Letran and St. Benilde but their 435.5 points total were enough to overtake the Blazers and capture the overall championship for the second straight year.

St. Benilde, the overall titlist in the 2007-2008 and 2008-2009 seasons, could’ve re-claimed the general championship had it placed third instead of fifth in athletics. The Blazers wound up with 427 points.

“It’s a tribute to the hard work and determination showed by our athletes and coaches,” said San Beda’s Management Committee representative Jose Mari Lacson.

The Mendiola-based school won the men’s basketball crown and topped swimming and men’s taekwondo while finishing second in men’s volleyball and women’s taekwondo.

“The teams prepared hard and I’m glad we were able to win it the second time around,” said San Beda athletic director Ato Badolato.

It was San Beda’s second general championship overall while Mapua remains the winningest with 21. Letran, on the other hand, has won nine titles.

San Sebastian, meanwhile, leaned on its victory in athletics to beat La Salle-Greenhills and Arellano U and claim the juniors general championship with 258.5 points.

The Junior Blazers ended up with 253 points for second while the Junior Chiefs finished third with 250.5 points.