Lions roaring redemption

SBC erases stigma of ’15 loss, bags 20th title

MANILA, Philippines – From losing his main weapon to winning the coveted NCAA championship, coach Jamike Jarin banked on his wards’ grit and determination to overcome adversities and deliver the 20th championship for San Beda.

“When everybody counted us out, when everybody wanted my head, that was the turning point,” said Jarin in the din of the celebration after the Red Lions downed the Arellano Chiefs, 83-73, to reclaim the crown they lost to the Letran Knights last year. “Maybe the loss of Donald (Tankoua) was a wake up call for all of us as everybody stepped up and rallied behind Donald, the coaches and San Beda.”

The Lions looked every inch a title contender when they roared to a 9-1 record in the elims but found themselves reeling when Tankoua went down with a season-ending ACL injury in the second round.

San Beda did sputter and tumble down the leaderboard but the Lions recovered, using Tankoua  as a rallying point to buck the odds, including Jio Jalalon and the Chiefs in the finals.

In Game One, Robert Bolick, Benedict Adamos and skipper Dan Sara took charge to foil the Chiefs while Cameroonian Arnaud Noah stepped up in the title clincher along with AC Soberano, Jayvee Mocon and Davon Potts.

Noah, who served as backup to compatriot Donald Tankoua before the latter fell to a season-ending ACL injury early in the second round, also provided the energy on the defensive end and went on to bag the Finals MVP honors.

Soberano and Mocon provided the firepower while Potts exploded for 10 points in the fourth after being held scoreless in the first three periods.

Jarin also received the flak for taking in the 6-2 Noah instead of the taller 6-9 Nigerian Eugene Toba at the start of the season, particularly after Tankoua went down.

For a while, it looked like Jarin had made a mistake after Noah struggled while trying to fit into the team’s system.

But the Yuandi native redeemed himself as he seized the moment in the finals, coming through with norms of 16 points and nine rebounds.

“Getting him (Noah) was a combination of gut feel and the thought that I think he was more ready for the competition than the other one (Toba),” said Jarin. “But if I knew Donald will go down, I would have gotten him (Toba).

“I guess everything has a purpose and the only being who knows all our paths is the head of all coaches from above,” he added.

He also apologized to San Beda’s fans and critics for disappointing them last year.

“Nobody likes to lose so my apologies to all the alumni for our failed bid last year. My apologies and I dedicate this victory to them,” he said.

Jarin said it felt good finally winning a championship after last year’s heartbreak.

“Coming from a heartbreaking loss last year and winning it this year for your alma mater really feels good,” said Jarin, whose Lions swept the fancied Chiefs five times this season, the last two netting them their ninth championship in the last 11 years and 20th overall.