Amer, Sara take up cudgels as Lions near PCCL crown

Games Monday

(Ynares Gym, Pasig)

2 p.m. – USC vs UV (Battle for 3rd)

4 p.m. – San Beda vs La Salle (Game Two)

MANILA, Philippines – San Beda went to Baser Amer and Roldan Sara when Ola Adeogun got into foul trouble as it turned back a Ben Mbala-led La Salle, 88-81, to move on the threshold of its first ever championship in the Philippine Collegiate Champions League at the Ynares Gym in Pasig City Thursday.

With Adeogun watching helplessly from the bench after committing his fourth foul midway in the third quarter, Amer and Sara hit some timely jumpers late in the period and in the final canto to fend off the desperate Archers while sealing the Lions a 1-0 lead in their best-of-three title showdown.

Game Two is on Monday while a deciding Game Three, if necessary, is on Tuesday.

"One down, one to go," said San Beda acting coach Adonis Tierra, whose charges are seeking to become the second NCAA team to win in this 12-year-old league after San Sebastian won it three years ago.

The 6-9 Adeogun, a Nigerian, finished with 20 points while making life difficult for Mbala, a Cameroonian who will debut for the Archers next UAAP season.

Mbala wound up with better numbers than Adeogun with game-highs 26 points, 14 rebounds and four blocks in just 25 minutes but most of it came in a long stretch when the latter had to sit out due to foul woes.

Arthur dela Cruz scattered 14 points while drawing Mbala's fourth foul late in the third period.

It was the duo of Amer and Sara, who were teammates since their Red Cubs days, however, who made the biggest plays of the game.

Amer, who exploded for 16 points in the second half of his team's 87-68 win over NCAA rival Arellano University in an Elite Eight game last Tuesday, ended up with 19 points, seven assists, three boards and two steals while Sara chipped in 15 including four booming triples.

Tierra said he's happy Adeogun lived up to his promise to take it hard on Mbala, who overpowered the former resulting to La Salle downing San Beda, 61-56, in their first meeting last week.

"He (Adeogun) told me before the game he'll bring it to Mbala. I'm happy he did," said Tierra.

There were some hot collar between the Lions and the Archers, who played rough and physical the whole game.

In fact, Fil-Am Abu Jahal Tratter went into the break with a bloodied right eyebrow after getting hit by an inadvertent elbow by Adeogun just before the second quarter ended, while La Salle coach Juno Sauler was slapped a technical foul for protesting the rugged plays by the Lions.

Twice, La Salle sliced its deficit to just a hairline but San Beda found answers on both occasions.

When the Archers cut it to a 72-73 deficit, seldom-used Michole Sorela responded with a pair of clutch jumpers.

On the second try when La Salle came close again, 78-79, Amer found an open dela Cruz for an easy lay-up and then Adeogun skied and shot over Mbala for the key baskets that zapped the last fight out of the defending champion.

The scores:

San Beda 88 – Adeogun 20, Amer 19, Sara 15, dela Cruz 14, Mendoza 8, Sorela 6, Soberano 3, Koga 2, Tankoua 1, Mocon 0, Tongco 0

La Salle 81 – Mbala 26, Montalbo 13, Rivero 12, Tratter 10, Teng 9, Torres 8, Salem 3, Bolick 0, Mustre 0

Quarterscores: 23-18; 43-37; 61-59; 88-81