Lions trip Archers, gain crown

Robert Bolick hit a triple in the last 8.5 seconds as San Beda rallied to beat La Salle, 75-72, and complete a rare sweep of the Filoil Flying V Premier Cup crown at the Filoil Flying V Center in San Juan last night.

Bolick, doing what he does best, exploded with a team-high 24 points, including that dagger of a trey that shattered the 72-all count and the Archers’ dream of making it back-toback in the country’s pre-season tournament.

The Lions trailed majority of the way but unleashed a strong finishing kick to nail their second Filoil title while foiling the defending champion Archers’ drive for five in a duel of the NCAA and UAAP champion teams.

“I told the players that if we want to be the best, we have to beat the best and today (yesterday), we won over La Salle and we’re now No. 1,” said San Beda coach Boyet Fernandez.

It was another brilliant performance by Bolick, who fired 22 points and powered San Beda past Jose Rizal U, 80-64, in their semis clash last Friday.

Bolick also erupted for 27 points to lead the Lions past the Archers, 82-80, in the group stages last May 28.

“It was extra special for me because we won against my former school,” said the 21-year-old Bolick, whose clutch triple also capped the Lions amazing 11-game sweep of the tournament.

The game also produced unlikely heroes in Ateneo transferees Clint Doliguez and 6-8 Kenmark Cariño.

Doliguez chipped in seven of his eight points in the fourth quarter while Cariño had six in the same period while helping limit Ben Mbala, who normed 33 points in the last three games, to just eight points in the final 10 minutes. The La Salle ace finished with 25 markers.

“I’m happy that they were ready when we called upon them to deliver,” said Fernandez of Doliguez and Cariño.

Earlier, Mbala racked up almost all the individual awards, including the MVP. He was also named to the Mythical Team and bagged the Defensive Player trophy.

But in the end, he had to settle for second for the coveted team championship.

Earlier, Lyceum of the Phl U turned back Jose Rizal, 82-75, to clinch third place.

In juniors’ action, Mapua trounced Ateneo, 89-82, to emerge the top high school squad in the country. The scores: San Beda 75 – Bolick 24, Mocon 13, Doliguez 8, Potts 7, Presbitero 7, Carino 6, Soberano 6, Noah 2, Adamos 2, Tongco 0, Toba 0, Bahio 0, Abuda 0

La Salle 72 – Mbala 25, Melecio 14, Santillan 12, Rivero 11, Caracut 5, Baltazar 2, Tratter 2, Tero 1, Go 0, Gonzales 0

Quarterscores: 16-19, 35-36, 51-55, 75-72