PCCL Final Four: A battle of will

Jude Roque

This could be one of the most exciting seasons of the Philippine Collegiate Champions League (PCCL) after the astonishing results of first day of the semi-finals on Wednesday. UAAP runners-up University of Sto. Tomas Growling Tigers shocked the Ateneo Blue Eagles, 76-66, while NCAA champions San Beda Red Lions escaped the Viz-Min champs Southwestern University Cobras, 73-72.

But the current semis format features a single round robin among the four schools. This means that defending champion Ateneo and SWU can still catch up with UST and San Beda, with two more playing dates. The top two teams after the round will contest the National Collegiate Championship in a best-of-three series beginning on November 27.

Today's match-ups should be even more exciting as first day winners San Beda and UST clash in the 4 p.m. game. The Blue Eagles are raring to bounce back from their loss to the Tigers as they tangle with the Cobras at 2 p.m.

The first game last Wednesday started with the Red Lions imposing their will on the visiting team from Cebu. For three quarters, the three-time defending NCAA titlists controlled the game with a suffocating half-court defense and a fluid running attack. Their half-court offense was also remarkable with the way the Lions moved the ball. SBC took the half, 46-29, and continued with its assault in the third period. Entering the pay-off period, the Lions were comfortably ahead, 67-50.

But the tables were turned in the fourth canto as the Cebuanos made a last ditch fighting stand behind their amazing recruit from Cameroon, Benoit Mbala. The 6'6" Mbala capitalized on the foul-troubled Jake Pascual and Kyle Pascual, who alternated on putting the clamps on him, as Olaide Adeogun was unable to see action due to a sprained ankle he incurred in a PBA D-League game the previous day. The 17-year old import almost singlehandedly brought the Cobras back to life, as he sizzled for 17 markers in the last ten minutes of play to bring SWU to within a solitary point. The Cobras actually staged a 22-6 rally in the fourth quarter through their solid 2-3 zone defense. The mighty Lions were limited to just six points in the last quarter, something that has not happened to them in the NCAA.

The visitors had a golden chance to score a major upset in endgame after forcing a stop in the Lions' last possession. The Cobras gained the last shot of the game, with San Beda just ahead by one point. But the shot never came. Logically, they went to Mbala at the post. After all, he was scoring almost at will in the fourth. But Baser Amer went for the double team, leaving SWU ace guard Benito Nalos wide open for the kick out pass. But time expired with the ball still in Nalos' hands. Mbala finished with 27 points, seven boards and four blocks. Graduating team captain Jake Pascual collected 17 points, 12 rebounds, three assists and two steals for San Beda, while Amer and Ryusei Koga added 15 and 12 markers respectively.

In the rematch of this year's UAAP finalists, the Tigers seemed the more determined squad as they stepped on the gas in the second quarter to lead at halftime, 42-32, and never looked back. UST outplayed the Norman Black-less Eagles in the second half to covet the convincing win. The taller Eagles were badly outrebounded by the Tigers, 28-48, and shot only 23 of 58 from the field as opposed to the latter's 30 of 70. UST also had 15 offensive boards as compared to Ateneo's five. It also had four more assists and five more steals. Jeric Teng exploded with 22 points, while Karim Abdul and Jeric Fortuna chipped in 15 and nine markers respectively. Nico Salva led Ateneo with 13 points, while sensational sophomore Kiefer Ravena added 12 points, five rebounds and six assists. Greg Slaughter struggled for most of the game and finished with just 11 points, three caroms and one assist.

Today's double-header will be interesting especially with the individual match-ups. SWU's Mbala, who became the darling of the crowd after his stellar performance against the Red Lions, will be tested against the towering Slaughter. Although the Cameroonian has displayed outstanding offensive skills, we can expect Ateneo to make life miserable defensively for Mbala. The Eagles are known for their dreaded half-court defense. This means that the Cobras will need to draw more scoring contributions from the bench. Ateneo will have a huge bench depth advantage that interim coach Gabby Severino is expected to utilize.

The battle of the "big cats" is another much awaited game as SBC and UST seem evenly matched. The Adeogun versus Abdul match-up should be part of the main course, although the former is still uncertain to suit up with still a swollen right ankle. Both African recruits are strong and skilled. But the other match-ups are just as delightful. Teng and Amer will probably be paired against each other in a battle between the top scorers of their respective teams. Teng will have the edge in shooting and post-up play. Amer will have the upper hand in dribble penetration and passing. Another featured match-up is the Anjo Caram-Jeric Fortuna duel. Both are smart and quick point guards that can ably direct their respective team's offensive plans. Fortuna is the better shooter but Caram is the more dangerous slasher. Rome Dela Rosa could be pitted against the much-improved Kevin Ferrer. Ferrer is the more versatile scorer but Dela Rosa is more experienced and probably even stronger. Jake Pascual will have a chance to check the mettle of the now famous Aljon Mariano. Mariano, a former San Beda Red Cub, has vastly improved his offensive skills and is a proven clutch player. But Pascual is a defensive specialist that can shackle even bigger opponents. San Beda will have more players to rotate with such as Kyle Pascual, Art Dela Cruz, Koga, Jaypee Mendoza and Yvan Ludovice.

It will also be a battle between the offensive-minded Tigers and the defense-oriented Lions.

The PCCL has not been this intriguing in recent years. When the smoke clears, the last two teams standing will be the ones that want to win the most.

Editor's note: The blogger's views do not represent Yahoo! Southeast Asia's position on the topic or issue being discussed in this post.

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