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Sep 17

NCAA Season 84 Final Four and San Beda’s all out support for Sam Ekwe

by Mike Abasolo
8,701 Views | 398 Comments

(1) San Beda Red Lions

They have been challenged.  They have been torn apart.  As I’ve said in my season preview that they will lose some games, except for that fiasco of course.  But the Red Lions, have rode the tidal wave, turned the corner, made some breakthroughs and discover that they are still the defending champions.  The Red Lions will face a familiar foe in another rematch of last year’s Final Four.  This season, San Beda got the most out the Cardinals in their 1st game after the opening day parade.  Their second encounter, as Coach Leo Isaac claimed was a display of  a forgotten playbook in College Basketball now coined in the media as “old school.

The Red Lions will once again rely on its defense to counter the planned slow motion game by Coach Leo Isaac.  In the offensive end, the Red Lions will have no problems scoring.  Borgy Hermida, Ogie Menor, Pong Escobal will carry the main scoring load for the Red Lions.  Sam Ekwe, committed to work hard on both ends, will join JR Taganas, Bam Gamalinda, Jake Pascual and even Dave Marcelo to complement the Red Lions’ perimeter offense.  San Beda reigns in the open court but they have to do a lot of board work to make this happen.  In the half-court, Mapua will surely use the zone to slow down the Red Lions but the so-called wisdom of the inventors of this game might not work this time against highly favored San Beda.

(4) Mapua Cardinals

You don’t want your money on one of the most volatile teams in the league. The Cardinals have been a revelation but on certain occasions has been your constant disappointment.  The have been the underdogs going for the last seat of the semis but they have triumphed despite odds stacked against them.  They have been a head case all season long but you can’t help but wonder how Coach Leo Isaac literally pushed this team into the Final Four.

The Cardinals are not that deep but they do have one of the steadiest backcourt combination in the league in Jonathan Banal, Allan Mangahas, and Kelvin de La Pena.  Then put in Jason and Neil Pascual, and off the bench players TJ Guillermo and Ian Mazo, the Cardinals will have to do more than to slow down the pace of the game to test Red Lions’ patience.  Defensively, Mapua by far has a well executed zone press to pokey down any team in the league and they will use this to trim some seconds of the shot clock if they hope to drag down the Red Lions offense.  Offensively, the Cardinals will always ignite their transition to score quickly so they can get their big men set for the opponents’ half-court attack.

(2) Jose Rizal Heavy Bombers

The almost lost it.  But they are coming back armed to the teeth to claim the spot that is rightfully theirs – a twice to beat advantage and gain the right to challenge current NCAA Champs – the San Beda Red Lions.  After a fifth place finish to end the elimination round, they have brought back that swagger that have put them, for sometime during the season, on top of the standings.

The Trio of Marc Cagoco, James Sena and John Wilson plus the energy guys of Coach Ariel Vanguardia starring rebounding monster Marvin Hayes and hustling John Njei will push Letran to the limit.  JR Bulangis and the ho-hum rise of Maui Pradas in the mix will provide Heavy Bombers’  some of the bench production.  Defensively, they have the height advantage to protect the paint and take on the Letran big men.  In the offensive end,  the Heavy Bombers has finally found some relief by converting their attempts from the perimeter and help create space for dribble penetrations towards the hoop or for that extra pass.

(3)  Colegio de San Juan de Letran Knights

From a hot start to suddenly a ship with its hull mostly on water, the Letran Knights has been struggling by eliminations end.  A reversal of fortune from Season 83.  Now the shoe is on the other foot.

After RJ Jazul and Dino Daa, there is no one on the Knights’ roster that has been stepping up.  So far Kojack Melegrito has been their spark on the defensive end.  The inconsistent play of Rey Guevarra and Rey Dangcal has hurt the rotation of Coach Louie Alas.  Jam Cortes, Clarence and John Foronda has to come out of their shell and stand up if they want to keep up with JRU’s interior presence.  Their vaunted full-court press has so far worked like a charm . But other teams have become immune and have devised a counter to Letran’s bread and butter scheme.  With Letran losing its edge for a twice to beat advantage, Coach Louie Alas will find a way to sharpen his boys to surprise us one more time.

NCAA Season 84 Finals Fearless Forecast:  San Beda Red Lions vs. Letran Knights

The San Beda College Community’s all-out support for Sam Ekwe

In their game against Letran, there was no doubt abot Sam Ekwe’s poor performance.  He has been a factor in most of San Beda’s wins.  Players do have their bad days and that game was one of Sam’s forgettable moments.  But to accuse him of throwing a game for his alma mater is not part of Sam Ekwe’s genetic code.

I have known Sam Ekwe for sometime.  And I know very well that he will not do something like this.  Especially with his honor is on the line.  There have been numerous rumors about Sam’s exploits but none of them are true.

Whatever the rumor(s) or accusation(s) that Sam is facing, below is a letter from the San Beda College Community furnished to inboundpass.com  as an expression of support for Sam Ekwe.

17 September 2008
MR. SAM EKWE
Red Lions’ Team
San Beda College
Mendiola, Manila

My Dearest Sam,

Just a short note to express my appreciation and gratitude for finding time to meet with me in relation to matter of mutual interest.

For the record, allow me to affirm categorically that you have my personal trust and confidence, as well as of the entire Benedictine Community and San Beda College, of your honesty and commitment to the ideals of St. Benedict. We do not believe that you are involved, in anyway, in the gossips of game fixing. We affirm our agreement to the manifestation of the Nigerian Embassy, through Consul Patricia Alechenu, that you are to be held in high esteem and is a man of integrity.

I wish you the best in all your pursuits.

With my continued esteem
Sincerely,
(Sgd.)
MATEO J. DE JESUS, OSB
Rector- President

cc:  Rt. Rev. Fr. Tarcisio Ma. H. Narciso, OSB - Abbot Chancellor
Hon. Patricia Alechenu -Consul, Embassy of the Federal Republic of Nigeria


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Posted in Be Like Mike

Comments

Pages: « 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 [8] Show All

  • guru_  Add karma Subtract karma  +0
    Friday, 19 September 2008 at 11:57 pm

    sana makapasok pa din beda!!! whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!! that in all things, God may be glorified!!! ANIMO SAN BEDA!

  • The Red Animo  Add karma Subtract karma  +0
    Saturday, 20 September 2008 at 12:15 am

    despite all the odds…. the Red and White shall prevail..

    We’ll keep fighting and we’ll DEFEND THE THRONE to the very end…. ANIMO bedans

    ANIMO SAN BEDA!!!

  • arRibaLeTraN  Add karma Subtract karma  +0
    Saturday, 20 September 2008 at 12:18 am

    @theredamimo

    u and i and the rest of the letran and bedan community. hay…na double trouble tayo kanina. hahahha anyway, good game din talaga ang ginawa ng mapua.

    pag di ba kayo naka pasok sa finals…would that mean we battle it out for third? if ganun mangyayari at least masaya pa rin…letran vs. beda na naman…kaya lang not for a championship…but still exciting game pa rin yun and would be more like the real finals match.

  • The Red Animo  Add karma Subtract karma  +0
    Saturday, 20 September 2008 at 12:30 am

    @arRibaLeTraN

    sana ganun..hehehe at least jampack ulit crowd natin…hahaha sayang im looking 4ward 4 a rivalry match s finals ntin.. kaso talo kayu ng mga hopiang yan..

  • Nikko  Add karma Subtract karma  +0
    Saturday, 20 September 2008 at 12:34 am

    2 Patron tickets for sale. ADMU-DLSU Uaap Finals Game 1. 12k each. Serious buyers only. 09178580418

  • Bumbayin  Add karma Subtract karma  +0
    Saturday, 20 September 2008 at 12:40 am

    ang kapal ng mukha mo magbenta ng tiket na sobrang mahal daig mo pa 5-6! Presyo mo parang macapagal blvd! ngayon pa lang sinusunog na kaluluwa mo sa purgatoryo!!!

  • arRibaLeTraN  Add karma Subtract karma  +0
    Saturday, 20 September 2008 at 12:55 am

    @THEREDANIMO

    OO NGA EH..SAME HERE, BEEN WAITING TO FOR THE RIVAL MATCH SANA FOR SEASON 84 BETWEEN CSJL AND SBC….SAYANG TALAGA…

    TWO GOOD SCENARIOS THAT MIGHT LEAD TO THIS IS:

    1ST, U BEAT MAPUA ON MON. AND GO ON TO MAKE THE KILLING AGAINST JRU….

    2ND IF MAPUA WILL WIN, THEY WILL TAKE CHARGE IN KILLING JRU, AND CSJL AND SBC WILL MEET UP AS OPENNING MATCH FOR THE THE FINALS GAME BETWEEN MIT AND JRU. WHICH MEANS WE WILL FILL THE SEATS OF ARANETA AGAIN…. HAHAHA

  • SanBeda=SanTiago  Add karma Subtract karma  +0
    Saturday, 20 September 2008 at 1:21 am

    Bawi tayo bedans! hahaha! magaling si dela pena kanina.. napikon nga lng hehehe.. ang init ng ulo nya kanina.. star kasi!

  • Leon_Guerrero  Add karma Subtract karma  +0
    Saturday, 20 September 2008 at 1:22 am

    mga tol wala pong battle for third place sa NCAA.

    Pax!

    U.I.O.G.D.

  • FRaternityOfKnightS  Add karma Subtract karma  +4
    Saturday, 20 September 2008 at 2:00 am

    txt frm ambo the scalper
    bwisit. pag di pa pasok beda sa finals lugi negosyo. gen admission nun beda vs letran @300. ngaun pag beda vs jru @200. pag mapua vs jru 3 for 100 may kasama pa 1 balot hopia para mabili

  • guru_  Add karma Subtract karma  +0
    Saturday, 20 September 2008 at 4:37 am

    wala naman pomh battle for third ncaa!! hahaa and bakit kau nagiicp ng battle for 3rd pra letran-beda? eh jru-beda sa finals eh! heheheheheh ANIMO PULA! ANIMO SAN BEDA!

  • guru_  Add karma Subtract karma  +0
    Saturday, 20 September 2008 at 4:39 am

    wala naman battle for 3rd sa ncaa!! ska anung beda-letran for 3rd?? hahahhaha Beda-jru sa finals!! whooo! ANIMO PULA! ANIMO SAN BEDA!!!!

  • James Ty III  Add karma Subtract karma  +0
    Saturday, 20 September 2008 at 10:38 am

    Mike, I don’t think Letran’s protest against JRU will prosper. Butch Maniego, who covered the game for TV, told me that he saw the tape of the final seconds of the game over and over again and he didn’t see any clear foul by JRU and that John Wilson had a clean block on RJ Jazul.

    The Knights, Butch added, have only themselves to blame for that loss. Jazul committed three crucial errors and missed two free throws in the endgame.

    Besides, the Bombers were the hungrier team. Letran isn’t as deep as before when Boyet Bautista, Aaron Aban, Mark Andaya, Kerby Raymundo and Chris Calaguio were playing for the Knights.

  • Grrr!  Add karma Subtract karma  +0
    Saturday, 20 September 2008 at 10:42 am

    Protest? The better team won, so let it be.

    This is not the UAAP.

  • don tomas  Add karma Subtract karma  +0
    Saturday, 20 September 2008 at 10:48 am

    mapua still the best team for me!!! haha ang galing! biruin mu un muntik n kme malaglag sa eliminations pero eto still alive p rin hahaha….maganda adjustment ni coach leo! si mangahas star n din ngayon!!!!mapua-jru sa finals!!! haha

  • arRibaLeTraN  Add karma Subtract karma  +0
    Saturday, 20 September 2008 at 10:56 am

    Good luck sa SAN BEDA!

    Thanks sa mga alumni niyo who were cheering Arriba Letran Yesterday.

    ARRIBA SAN BEDA BEAT JRU!

    hahahahaha next year we’ll try to get into the finals with san beda uli para maganda ang finals ng ncaa.

    ARRIBA LETRAN!

  • red2  Add karma Subtract karma  +0
    Saturday, 20 September 2008 at 10:58 am

    tama yung analysis ni butch, clean block talaga. letran has no one to blame but themselves, it was a gallant stand by the knights though.

  • James Ty III  Add karma Subtract karma  +0
    Saturday, 20 September 2008 at 11:11 am

    red2, Butch is also the executive director of the PBL, whose referees also work the NCAA games. Officiating here has been very good and Letran should not blame the referees, but themselves, like what I said.

  • MITSBCCSJL  Add karma Subtract karma  +0
    Saturday, 20 September 2008 at 11:18 am

    LA NAMAN KWENTA JRU EH PURO TSAMBA LNG, GRAAABE ANG LAKAS TSUMABA!!!! GRAAAAABEEEE TAAAALAGAAAA!!!!!!!

  • ALTAS!!!!  Add karma Subtract karma  +0
    Saturday, 20 September 2008 at 11:20 am

    tama ka tsamba nga lng ung panalo nila!!!! hahaha go perpetual!!! hahahahahaha

  • TillNexTtime  Add karma Subtract karma  +0
    Saturday, 20 September 2008 at 11:21 am

    i agree….masakit man sa amin na matalo kahapon, i also think that that there was no clear foul on jazul yesterday.

    the knights played a great game yesterday but crumbled in the end. so that’s that….it would have been sweet if we went into a rubber match, but it just didn’t happen. so let it be…

    i wonder if it had been renesis who made the shot from the arch, would it have made a big difference, he was wide open yesterday in the last seconds of the game…and he was making those tres out of nowhere. maybe that was a wrong strategy and for sure nabasa na yun ni vanguardia…having been along side couch alas before….he knows how the ace couch would handle such an important play….and therefore would know how to counter it. there should have come up with a risky play with renesis.

    anyway…till next year na lang uli!

    arriba letran pa rin!

  • blue eagle king!!!!  Add karma Subtract karma  +5
    Saturday, 20 September 2008 at 11:22 am

    ang pangit ng JRU! kht sa UAAP team ko, ill go for mapua or sbc nakikita ko ung galing nila,

  • MITSBCCSJL  Add karma Subtract karma  +5
    Saturday, 20 September 2008 at 11:24 am

    BOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!! to HEAVY BOMERS!!!!!!!

  • letraaan  Add karma Subtract karma  +5
    Saturday, 20 September 2008 at 11:25 am

    jru bulok jru bulok jru bulok jru bulok jru bulok!!!!!

  • ROAAR  Add karma Subtract karma  +5
    Saturday, 20 September 2008 at 11:26 am

    boooo jru!!!!

  • DarkKnight  Add karma Subtract karma  +0
    Saturday, 20 September 2008 at 12:03 pm

    Is that all you got morons! A boo. Boo your ass! Hahahahah! The Bombers got you. What a painful defeat!

    Hey! Stop crying its over!

    See you next year and thank you!

    Ala Vievo JRU!

    Animo Rizal!

    Mabuhay Rizal!

    We’re ready to explode!

    Good luck San Beda Red Lions. Animo!

  • DarkKnight  Add karma Subtract karma  +0
    Saturday, 20 September 2008 at 12:07 pm

    Blue eagle king!!! What the hell are you doing here? Get out of this site idiot! You’re non-sense comments are not needed here. Get out of our sight dickhead!

    Ala Vievo!

  • DarkKnight  Add karma Subtract karma  +0
    Saturday, 20 September 2008 at 12:13 pm

    ROAAR - Boo your ass zipperhead.

    Ala Vievo Rizal!

  • boy toma  Add karma Subtract karma  +0
    Saturday, 20 September 2008 at 12:17 pm

    UMALIS NA ANG MGA TALUNAN D NA KAILANGAN ANG COMMENT NIYO DITO D NA KAYO KSALI KAHIT ANO PA SABIHIN NIYO TANGAL NA KAYO KAYA YUNG HIMUTOK NIYO SA BARANGAY NIYO DALHIN OK..CHUPEE NA TALO NA KAYO GANYAN PA KYO!!! MGA NON SENSE NAMAN SINASABI NYO…

    TAKOT LNG KAYO SA JRU TAPOS ANG USAPAN KSE NASILAT KAYONG LAHAT NG SA D NIYO INAAKALANG PAGKAKATAON!!!

  • Finals?  Add karma Subtract karma  +0
    Saturday, 20 September 2008 at 1:34 pm

    this is my Mythical 5 this season.

    my first mythical team
    C-Ekwe
    PF-Sena
    SF-Menor
    SG-Jazul
    PG-Dela Pena

    my second
    C-Ballesteros
    PF-Daa
    SF-Hayes
    SG-Viray
    PG-Cagoco

    hehe nakikinakinita ko na naman sa NCAA-UAAP allstar na NCAA ang mananalo!

    now with that line-up mamumroblema ang UAAP kung pano nila i-mamacth-up tong team na to! hehe

    Long LIVE NCAA!!!!

  • MabuHay RiZal!  Add karma Subtract karma  +0
    Saturday, 20 September 2008 at 2:25 pm

    ConGratz JRU! TanGgaL Ang YabaNg NuNg Mga TalUnan dyan natutuwa akong PaNooRin sila HabaNg UmiiYak… nyahahahaha…. that’s A BIG KARMA sa mga Panlalait nyo..

  • Proud_Mapuan  Add karma Subtract karma  +0
    Saturday, 20 September 2008 at 4:33 pm

    sana uniform ang kulay ng MIT fans sa monday… mag black nalang sana since red ang san beda.. para it will remind us of the 2005 black valentine rally.. kung nagkaisa tayo noon we could do it again this time sa pag support sa team natin.. sana maganda ang game between Mapua and San Beda sa monday Go Cards.

    VIVA MAPUA
    ANIMO SAN BEDA

  • chai  Add karma Subtract karma  +0
    Saturday, 20 September 2008 at 8:33 pm

    @ITSBCCSJL–

    eh di malaki talaga ang malas ng mga natalo sa JRU. kawawa naman boo hoo

  • HULING HALAKHAK  Add karma Subtract karma  +0
    Saturday, 20 September 2008 at 8:40 pm

    TSAMBA BA?

    WUTEVER!

    SARAP MAKA-TSAMBA! PASOK AGAD SA FINALS.

    DI GAYA NG IBA DI NA NGA MAKA-TSAMBA PUROS MINAMALAS PA!

  • dune65  Add karma Subtract karma  +3
    Sunday, 21 September 2008 at 6:36 am

    baduy ng jru kalaban sa finals. maririnig ko nanaman yung ‘ang mga ibon cheer nila’ =))

  • dune65  Add karma Subtract karma  +3
    Sunday, 21 September 2008 at 6:36 am

    baduy ng jru kalaban sa finals. maririnig ko nanaman yung ‘ang mga ibon cheer nila’ =)) mas okay talaga pag letran

  • VIVARRIBANIMO  Add karma Subtract karma  +0
    Sunday, 21 September 2008 at 11:15 am

    M-I-T FIGHT MIT FIGHT VIVA MAPUA!!!!

  • dune65  Add karma Subtract karma  +0
    Sunday, 21 September 2008 at 12:55 pm

    ianimo!

  • DarkKnight  Add karma Subtract karma  +0
    Monday, 22 September 2008 at 9:08 am

    Dune – Stop dreaming. Just say this “see you next year my team�, all right. Wipe your eyes so you could remove the Bombers in your sight. Bwahahahahaahh!

    Ala vievo JRU!

  • guru_  Add karma Subtract karma  +2
    Monday, 22 September 2008 at 5:44 pm

    THERE YOU GO! ITS SAN BEDA-JRU IN THE FINALS!!! ANIMO SAN BEDA!!!!

  • dune65  Add karma Subtract karma  +0
    Monday, 22 September 2008 at 6:18 pm

    dark knight see you on wednesday =)) hahahaha! ianimo!

  • concern ctizen...  Add karma Subtract karma  +0
    Monday, 22 September 2008 at 6:47 pm

    san po ga2npin yung laban ask ko lng po??tnx

  • HOPIANS  Add karma Subtract karma  +0
    Monday, 22 September 2008 at 8:24 pm

    dark knight!kitakits s 85th season of NCAA……….

  • HOPIANS  Add karma Subtract karma  --1
    Monday, 22 September 2008 at 8:27 pm

    JRU….BEAT!!! SAN BEAD TOLO LAWAY, BEDA TOLO LAWAY……….HAHAHAHA

  • red lion  Add karma Subtract karma  +0
    Monday, 22 September 2008 at 11:01 pm

    @DarkKnight _wer r u? ang yabang mo mag salita dian. nasan team mo? namimili din sa divisoria para sa pasko! hahaha…

    gud luk JRU!

  • Frenzy boy  Add karma Subtract karma  +0
    Monday, 22 September 2008 at 11:05 pm

    Madami kayang manunuod sa laban ng jru at beda? Mahal na kac nung ticket.

  • Bedan6a  Add karma Subtract karma  +0
    Friday, 26 September 2008 at 1:32 pm

    If San Beda did not enter the finals definitely the game will be held in cuneta…san beda is the only team and school who can afford Araneta. we should be in the UAAP not in the NCAA

  • sushii  Add karma Subtract karma  +1
    Wednesday, 1 October 2008 at 11:19 am

    KEEP THE FAITH, WE’LL KEEP THE CROWN! =) ANIMO SAN BEDA! =D

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Mike
Mike Abasolo

Mike is a former TV Analyst for the 2005 Collegiate Champions League (CCL) and 2008 Philippine Collegiate Championships (PCC), 2005 and 2006 National Basketball Conference (NBC) and 2005 Global Destiny Basketball League (GBDL). Started writing about College Basketball with uaapgames.com. Mike is also an Internet Marketing and Digital Branding Advocate.