After failing on their championship run last season, De La Salle Lipa (DLSL) Green Chevrons dismantled University of Perpetual Help System Laguna (UPHSL) Saints, 83-60, in a do-or-die game of the championship series for the NCAA Men’s Basketball at San Pablo Colleges, San Pablo City, Feb. 21.
With Cedrick Raymundo’s firepower in the back court listing 24 points, 5 rebounds and 1 assist and Justin Magnaye ruling the front court with his double-double performance of 25 points, 16 rebounds, 6 assists, the Chevrons regained the title after 18 years of drought.
It was a hot start for the Chevrons as Raymundo retaliated with two consecutive three-point shots after Saints’ Cager Micahel Sangco drew first blood. In addition, DLSL’s starting guard, Jed Maruen Claud, nailed his dagger that forced Perpetual to use their first time out, 9-2.
However, the guys in white were not easy to dismantle as Saints John Patrick Remudo took charge to maintain a close fight. In addition, they continued to pressure the guys in green with their defensive prowess to keep the Lipasallians with just 34 points at the half, 34-33.
Meanwhile, at the start of the second half, Saints defense began to crumble as Chevrons continued to puncture them on the inside with Magnaye’s stellar performance in the paint resulting to wide open shots of Ramon Carlo Macario and Raymundo to ballooned the lead to 16.
In addition, to put the exclamation point of the win, Magnaye hammered it down in a fast break situation to cap a 20 point lead against the Saints. DLSL showed no mercy as Redel Ezekiel Aguila sank two consecutive triples in the dying seconds of the game clock.
DLSL won the game one of the series, 65-58, while UPHSL bagged game two, 92-83.
Remudo (UPHSL), Magnaye (DLSL), Raymundo (DLSL), Destacamento (San Beda College – Alabang) and Saliente (Lyceum of the Philippines – Batangas) composed the mythical selection. Moreover, Raymundo was hailed Final’s Most Valuable Player.
Box Score
DLSL 83: Magnaye 25, Raymundo 24, Macario 12, Claud 7, Aguila 6, Gutierrez 4, Capili 3, Platon 2.
UPHSL 60: Remudo 22, Farcon 9, Belolo 9, Laban 7, Español 6 Sangco 6, Balido 6, Rosale 4.
