Finals MVP Donald Tankoua felt he had to settle down on defense in the final quarter. Doing so would allow him to keep Lyceum University's big man Mike Nzeusseu at bay.
Holding down the 6’6 Nzeusseu down to three points in the final period, Tankoua said he was able to find opportunities for the defending champion San Beda Red Lions to pull off a 92-82 triumph against the Pirates in Game 2 of their best-of-three finals series at the Araneta Coliseum.
“I just had to settle down and follow the instructions of the coaches,” said Tankoua, who finished with 17 points and 15 rebounds in helping the Red Lions’ winning tradition to continue in Season 93 of the National Collegiate Athletic Association men’s basketball tournament.
With their 21st title, the Red Lions are considered as the winningest in the history of the cagefest after completing a two-game sweep of the finals showdown with the Intramuros- based squad.
The 22-year old Tankoua is making up for lost time after missing last year’s finals series against Arellano University because of an ACL injury in his right knee.
In Game 1, Tankoua hit 27 points and hauled in 20 rebounds when the Red Lions prevailed over Lyceum, 94-87, at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.
With Tankoua making his presence felt in the shaded lanes, Rober Bolick Jr. and AC Soberano found openings from outside the paint.
They made thing happen, taking charge with three-pointers in the last two minutes, and their baskets carried the defending champions to their ninth title in 11 years.
Bolick fired 18 points, with one of his two triples connecting in the last 50.9 seconds, and this contributed to the Red Lions’ 92-82 triumph in Game 2 of their best-of-three finals at the Araneta Coliseum.
His last trey spelled the end of the Pirates bid for its first-ever championship trophy as it gave the Red Lions an 89-82 edge in the remaining time, and set them up for their 21st crown.
Soberano, who had 11 points, sank a triple from the left side off Bolick’s pass with 1:21 remaining, sending the Red Lions ahead, 86-92.
After that, the Pirates tried to reply with an attempt from Jaycee Marcelino, who bungled a three-point attempt.
As CJ Perez fouled out in the final 36 seconds, San Beda moved further ahead, 90-82, off Finals MVP Donald Tankoua’s split charity.
Perez struck with 22 points before he fouled out after being held scoreless in the final quarter.
"The championship will not be a reality if not for my players. They deserve to win this championship. They worked hard for 11 months. We know that in the course of the season, people doubted us. But within the circle of these players, we never doubted each other. We know that we did not sweep. We were swept (in the eliminations), ” said Boyet Fernandez, who returned this year to steer the Red Lions to their third crown.
He steered the Red Lions to two titles back in 2013 and 2014 before he left.