San Beda clinches NBTC crown

MANILA, Philippines - Extreme 97-San Beda leaned on former national team mainstay Arvin Tolentino in overtime as it turned back nemesis Mako-Hope Christian School in a thrilling 100-96 victory to capture the SeaOil National Basketball Training Center League National High School Championship crown at the Ynares Arena in Pasig City yesterday.

Tolentino poured in five of his 20 points in the extra period, including an inside stab that shattered the 96-all count and took the fight out of the reigning Tiong Lian league champions.

“It’s nice to be champion again, this crown is for the school and our supporters,” said San Beda coach Britt Reroma, who also steered the Mendiola-based cagers to this year’s NCAA juniors title.

The win also avenged San Beda’s loss to Hope, a team mentored by Steve Tiu, in the MMBL finals a few months back.

“We’re not even thinking of it anymore but I’m happy we got back at them (Hope),” said Reroma.

The Cubs survived the hot-shooting of Jose Go IV, who buried nine triples to finish with a game-high 33 points while Clint Doliguez made 22 points for Hope.

The Red Cubs likewise pounced on the fouling out of 6-6 center John Gerald Apacible with still three mintues left in regulation.

“It’s tough a luck but the guys didn’t give up inspite of it,” said Tiu.

With Apacible out, Doliguez stepped up in regulation but lost steam in OT when he was held scoreless by the tough defending Red Cubs. Apacible finished with only eight points.

Earlier, Doliguez exploded for 23 points in a 73-66 semifinal win over Maynilad-Cebu.

It was a sorry loss for Hope, a team backed by patron Cecilio Pedro of Lamoiyan Corp., which was hoping to add a victory here to its titles in the MMBL, PSSBC, Fr. Martin’s Cup and Tiong Lian.

“That’s basketball, you win some, you lose some,” said Hope team manager Bernard Yang.

Tolentino, a former member of the Energen Phl youth team, emerged the Most Outstanding Player of the NBTC after also coming through with a 23-point effort in a 101-67 semis rout of Smart-Iloilo.