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START OF A NEW DYNASTY?

Red Lions NCAA kings a second time

By Julius Manicad

09/27/2007

Yesterday was a perfect time to celebrate for San Beda College.

Red-clad fans came in droves, classes at the Mendiola campus were suspended, championship banners were prepared and the immortal We are the champions hymn by Queen was readied to play in anticipation of the huge celebration ahead.

And what was expected happened as the Red Lions trampled the gutsy Letran College, 76-64, to capture another crown — their second straight — that could be the start of their brazen bid to establish a new dynasty in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).

The back-to-back title, their 13th overall in the men’s basketball tournament of the country’s oldest collegiate league, may be sweet for the Red Lions, but it is definitely much sweeter for its architect, Frankie Lim.

It is the first title for Lim after playing a vital part in the legendary 1978 and 1979 San Beda squad that last won the back-to-back crown in the NCAA. Lim, a team manager for Talk ‘N Text in the PBA, was a mere spectator in the Lions’ celebration last year when Koy Banal was still calling the shots.

“It was very rewarding,” Lim said, catching his breath in ecstasy. “I told them not to doubt themselves. Show a lot of class, have pride. Kung gusto niyong tumira, show some pride, wag kayong matatakot magkamali.”

“This is my first head coaching job. I have no experience as a coach before so I guess, for me, this is much sweeter.”

But the night belongs to Yousif Aljamal and Ogie Menor, the leader and his successor who conspired for the very last time in the amateur ranks to bring the glory back to the school.

Aljamal, the self-proclaimed leader, drilled in 24 point and had 10 rebounds in his final appearance in San Beda’s red jersey amid the constant chant of “MVP” (Most Valuable Player) by fans, while Menor started to show that he is a worthy successor by pouring in 12 of his game-high 25 points in regulation.

“I’m ready to become next year’s leader,” the 20-year-old Isabela native Menor said. “I’ll still do what he wants me to do and continue to provide the leadership for my much younger teammates. This game is not just for me or Aljamal, but for everybody in the community.”

Next year’s squad is expected to be more formidable as this year as a handful of rookies and a Nigerian import are expected to be elevated into the senior ranks, converting San Beda’s plan of establishing a mighty dynasty into reality.

Sloppy all game long, the closest the Knights ever got was just within five points, 47-52, late in the third quarter. But Aljamal knocked down a three-point basket that hurt not only the Knights, but also throngs of their fans who trooped to the Big Dome hoping for a series extension.

“They’re beatable, but we failed to sustain whatever momentum we had in the third period,” Alas said.

Earlier, San Sebastian College-Recoletos claimed its third straight title via an emphatic 88-83 victory over the Letran Squires in Game Two of their best-of-three titular showdown in the juniors division.

MVP awardee Ryan Buenafe clinched 37 points while junior sensation Arvie Bringas drilled 24 points and 23 rebounds to power the Staglets to the crown that matched the three-peat achievement of the San Beda Red Cubs in 2004 to 2007.