San Beda, Perpetual end title drought in NCAA football, lawn tennis

MANILA, Philippines – San Beda and Perpetual Help ended their respective title droughts by reigning supreme in high school football and senior lawn tennis, respectively, in the 88th NCAA tournament at separate venues today.

Kim Saraza and Russell Arcilla came through with much-needed wins to help seal a 2-0 win by the Altas over four-peat titlist Letran for the Las Pinas-based school's first title win in the sport in the last 16 years.

Saraza, a transferee, smashed Adjuthur Moralde, 7-5, 6-1, in the first singles match and then teamed up with Arcilla, younger brother of many-time PCA champion and Davis Cupper Johnny, to edge Moralde and Bryan Sarenas in a gripping 6-4, 5-7, 6-4 win.

Saraza was named the tournament MVP for the Altas, who won their third crown overall and the first since the 1996-97 season.

Miguel Mendoza struck on the first extra time, or the 102nd minute, to shatter a scoreless deadlock and sent the Cubs to their first juniors championship since last winning the title 14 years ago.

The Taytay-based booters also sealed their 15th title overall to move within one from tying La Salle, its former member who is now with the rival UAAP, as the most titled high school football team in the country's oldest league.

It also put a stop to La Salle-Greenhills' 10-year title reign.

"Our hard work the whole season has bore fruit, it was a collective effort by everyone," said San Beda coach Gerald Orcullo in Filipino.

Making it a multiple celebration for the Cubs was Jerome Marzan, who bagged MVP and Best Midfielder honors, and John Abraham, who was named Best Defender.

The other individual achievers were Arellano U's Roberto Corsame (Top goal-scorer and Best Striker) and La Salle-Greenhills' Enrico Barcia (Best Goalkeeper).