Champ for a Cause ends in draw, generates P1.8M

MANILA, Philippines -- The La Salle-San Beda benefit game dubbed "Champions for a Cause" was supposed to clear the air on the argument on which between the two reigning collegiate champions is the best in the land.

It remained unsettled.

UAAP champion La Salle and NCAA titlist San Beda missed winning opportunities and fought to a 74-all standoff in Saturday's charity match at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum to momentarily share the status as the best varsity teams in the country today.

Nigerian behemoth Ola Adeogun scored on a putback off a missed lay up by team skipper Rome dela Rosa, got fouled by Norbert Torres in the process but missed the bonus free throw that would have given the Lions a one-point lead with 7.9 seconds to go.

With the game knotted, the Archers had two a couple of chances to snatch the victory but Jeron Teng muffed a jumper and Torres missed the putback as time expired, sending the game to a draw since an overtime has been ruled out before the game was played.

At least everybody went home happy.

"We're thankful to the Filoil organizers for giving us a chance to play this game against the UAAP champion," said San Beda coach Boyet Fernandez.

"We're happy we had a chance to help people victimized by the Typhoon but it also helped us in a way because we're using this game as a tune up to our PCCL game in the coming days," said La Salle's Juno Sauler.

Sauler was referring to the PCCL semifinals starting on Monday at The Arena in San Juan where La Salle and San Beda will face each other again as well as Far Eastern U and Visayan champion Southwestern U in a round-robin format.

The one-day event generated a total amount worth about P1.8 Million that will go directly to survivors of the devastation caused by Typhoon Yolanda that slammed parts of the Visayas weeks back.

Of the earnings, P1 million came from ticket sales, P370,000 each from La Salle and San Beda and their alumni while the rest came from Bostik Phls, Inc. (P37,000), Total Phls Corp. (P37,000), Star Mobile (P28,000) and the organizing Filoil Flying V Sports.

Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas president Manny V. Pangilinan was also in attendance to lend the event a helping hand while some basketball stars headed by Allan "The Triggerman" Caidic and Ren Ren Ritualo spiced up the festivities.

The scores:
San Beda 74- Adeogun 14, Amer 11, Sara 9, dela Rosa 8, A. Semerad 7, Pascual 6, Abarcar 6, Koga 5, D. Semerad 2, Mendoza 2, dela Cruz 2, Ludovice 2, Villaruz 0, Abatayo 0, Bonsubre 0

La Salle 74- Vosotros 21, N. Torres 9, Teng 7, Reyes 7, Perkins 6, Revilla 6, Montalbo 4, T. Torres 4, Tampus 4, Bolick 3, Salem 3, Dela Paz 0

Quarterscores: 20-all; 34-44; 53-59; 74-74