Red Lions ready to rumble as CJ returns
SAN Beda University will continue its campaign for three- peat as it deals with the return of Lyceum of the Philippines U’s top gun CJ Perez in Game Two of Season 94 National Collegiate Athletic Association seniors basketball finals at 4 p. m. today at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Meanwhile, La Salle Greenhills guns for back- to- back titles in the juniors division against Mapua High School at 2 p.m.
The Red Lions drew first blood in the bestof-three series after repulsing the Perez-less Pirates, 73- 60, last Tuesday.
The Lions dictated the tempo right from the get- go en route to a massive lead in the fourth quarter of the series opener. The Pirates retaliated with a furious rally in the endgame but fell short.
Last season’s MVP Perez, who is averaging 18.7 points this year, returns after serving a one- game suspension for failing to inform the league about his application in the Philippine Basketball Association draft.
San Beda head coach Boyet Fernandez said they are ready for Perez’s return.
“I know they (Lyceum) will be back. We only beat them by 13 points. Add the 18 points of CJ and we could’ve lost. Again, we just have to be ready,” said Fernandez.
“With CJ there and the way they played, it will be a dogfight again. For us, why fix if it’s not broken? We’re doing good on defense, we limited them to 60 points,” added Fernandez.
King Lion Robert Bolick is eager to fit their prowess against the top Pirate.
“If CJ is there, that’s what we like. If we lose, it’s okay because we are competitive. We want to face the best,” said Bolick.
“We will not back down. Our team is built for championships. So it’s going to be a good fight,” he added.
Graduating players Bolick, Javee Mocon, Jeramer Cabang and Cameroonian center Donald Tankoua are expected to lead the Lions’ bid to win their 11th title in 13 seasons.
Lyceum mentor Topex Robinson, on the other hand, just wants to move forward.
“We have a game to play. As much as we want to dwell on it, there are many other things to do. We’re excited to have CJ back,” said Robinson.
“We’re happy to be in the finals. But we’re gonna be happier if we win the championship.”
Besides Perez, Jaycee Marcelino, Jesper Ayaay and Cameroonian big man Mike Nzeusseu are tabbed to anchor the Pirates’ campaign to snare their maiden trophy since joining the oldest collegiate league in the country seven years ago.