The San Sebastian Stags Shocks San Beda Red Lions to Win The 2009 NCAA Men's Basketball Division Crown

Back on Number 1. Indeed, the winning tradition of the Stags is back on track. After 6 years of not fighting for the crown, here are the Stags, with a bunch of stepping-up rookie players and a rookie coach in Ato Agustin, renews their assertion in Men's Basketball of the NCAA.

Nobody saw this Finals matchup coming, not even I. This writer thought that it will be a JRU-SBC Finals again, as things looked pretty bleak for the Stags as they lost 3 games in a row in a span of just one week. It seems that they started faltering when the games mattered the most during that time, however, looking back, it was a blessing in disguise for the Stags, as they experienced those setbacks where in they would be able to assert themselves and fight back to their winning ways, and this time, they pulled off 3 straight games in one week to win the NCAA Final Four and the Crown.

Game 1 was a closely fought contest, especially in the 4th quarter. where the Stags started faltering again as the Red Lions chimp-in that 8 pt lead and held the Stags to only 13 points in the 2nd half to force overtime. They were not executing their plays and turning the ball over a lot of times.

It seems that the Stags are into doom again. With Bambam Gamalinda of the Red Lions hitting back to back three's as the Red Lions took the roll at the start of overtime. However, the Stags held their composure and fought back, to force a second overtime. This time around, they maintained their composure and with Rookie Sensation Calvin Abueva hitting clutch free throws and getting 23 crucial rebounds for a 72-68 victory and a 1-0 series lead.

Heading into game 2, Coach Frankie Lim took some adjustments and was able to establish a lead into the 1st half and holding the Stags to only 28 points in the first half as the Red Lions scored 38 for a 10 point lead, along with a mammoth Red Lion crowd behind them expecting for a game 3. More importantly for the Lions, they held Jimbo Aquino to a single point and made Abueva to commit 3 fouls and limit his production. However, Gilbert Bulawan kept the Stags alive, as he made timely contributions with the two main man of the Stags not getting into the groove of the game.

But, the Stags will have none of it, as they started to run and forced turnovers, as they scored 26 points in the 3rd quarter and trimmed the lead to two, 56-54. Jimbo Aquino started to explode, hitting big shots and three pointers, as Abueva was benched the whole quarter due to foul trouble and with Coach Ato Agustin wanting to save Abueva for last.

Come the final canto, the Stags held the Red Lions without a field goal pretty much the whole quarter, and the Stags slowly started to build up the lead, with Jimbo Aquino hitting a timely three-pointer to give the Stags an 8-point lead with 5 minutes left into the ballgame. Things started to falter for the Red Lions this time, as they got into unforced turnovers, and with time on the Stags' side, the Lions pretty much sealed the deal on themselves, as the Lions kept fouling the Stags trying to keep their hopes alive, but they could not convert any field goal at all and this blew the final score to 76-61.

This stopped the 3-year dominance of this year's hosts, the San Beda Red Lions as the San Sebastian Stags finally captured the Men's Basketball Crown again since 2002, which ironically, the San Beda was also the host of that season. The graduating scorer of the Stags, Jimbo Aquino was named Finals MVP of the series, with coach Ato Agustin and his young boys taking their first crown. The Stags will be looking to defend their crown in 2010, in which they will be that season's host and try to break the curse of the host winning the NCAA Men's Basketball Crown.

The NCAA Finals Matchup

It all boils down to the number 1 and number 2 team after all, and so my Final Four prediction is only half-correct, as the San Sebastian Stags upsets the Jose Rizal Heavy Bombers in a blowout in the second game, as the San Beda Red Lions gets a 6-day break preparing for the Finals.

San Beda College Red Lions vs San Sebastian College-Recoletos Stags

The Red Lions stayed pretty much in the number 2 slot the rest of the elimination round. However, after their loss against the JRU Heavy Bombers that put the Lions down at the number 3 slot, the Red Lions went on to win its last remaining games and forced a playoff against the number 1 team for most of the eliminations, the San Sebastian Stags, and won that game to seal the number 1 seeding.

Riding on a winning streak and with plenty of rest heading into the Finals, the Red Lions looks as prepared as ever on capturing their fourth straight NCAA crown for the decade, although things look rough in their Final Four encounter against the Letran Knights, San Beda has the edge when it comes to Finals experience as well.

On the other hand, the season started strong for the San Sebastian Stags, winning their first 15 games to set an NCAA record for the best start in the eliminations, before being booted out of first place in a playoff encounter against the Red Lions.

Leading scorer Jimbo Aquino losing his cool in the playoff game, things look pretty bleaked on the Stags as they faced-off last year's finalist, the JRU Heavy Bombers. The Stags fought hard and fended off JRU's challenge as they move into the Finals for the first time since 2003.

Lately, the Red Lions got into the Stags' number, beating them in back-to-back games at the end of the season, and more importantly, holding and frustrating the Stags' leading scorer, Jimbo Aquino. Coach Frankie Lim would like to continue that trend with Jake Pascual limiting Aquino's touch and space to frustrate him and with John Hermida and Garvo Lanete pestering opposing guards Pamboy Raymundo and Raymond Maconocido.

Also, the Red Lions would like to slow the tempo down and force turnovers to get easy points. With their experience in the Finals, the Lions could afford to make the series into a half-court game, as this limits the Stags' running game and the Lions would not want to fall into the fast-paced game of their opponent. The Lions also needs to get back on defense quickly to prevent the Stags' hi-octane offense.

For the Stags', their losses against the Red Lions would have not come at a better time, as the Stags would learn a lot from those two games that they lost. In fact, those losses could be a blessing in disguise for the Stags, as these losses gave them an idea and will surely make their work cut-out for them to prepare for the adjustments they needed against the Lions.

The guards of the Stags are the important factor in this series, with Pamboy Raymundo and Raymond Maconocido must break the opposing press and make the right decisions on setting their team's play. Also, Jimbo Aquino must not force things and let the game come to him. The Stags would not want to be too predictable in their offense by letting Aquino do all the work, as the Stags have enough fire power on their team to create a balanced attack.

Also, it is very important for the Stags' frontline to get defensive rebounds and force turnovers to fuel their fast-paced game. The Stags needs to create opportunities for their fast-break game and convert on these easy-points as much as they can, as this will be crucial for them as surely, the Lions will try to force them into a slower-paced and more physical ball game. The Stags must keep their composure and do things that led them to win 15 straight games.

Prediction: Seeing the way the Stags manhandled the Heavy Bombers, the Stags might eek this one in three games. They have the talent, especially with their rookies, but will the Stags maintain their composure come crunchtime? I think they will.

The NCAA Final Four Matchup

My UAAP Finals prediction was close, but no cigar. However this is what makes blogging about basketball fun, and this time around, it'll be for the NCAA Final Four.

It has been finally settled. After all the delays and the playoff game, the defending champions San Beda Red Lions takes the Number one seed as they face of the Rey Guevarra-less Letran Knights as the San Sebastian Stags fights with the Jose Rizal Heavy Bombers.

San Beda College Red Lions vs Colegio de San Juan Letran Knights

The Red Lions are at an all-time high this season, taking the number 1 slot with consecutive victories after their loss to the Heavy Bombers by winning their last remaining games and forcing a playoff game against the Stags, who led the much of the season.

Meanwhile, things look pretty bleak for the Knights, as one of their leading scorers and Smart Gilas Stalwart Rey Guevarra will not play due to a knee injury sustained from their game last time out against the Red Lions.

Coach Frankie Lim would have to make sure his players do not get overconfident and need to maintain their composure against the very physical Letran Knights. The Red Lions must maintain their game of penetration and scoring on easy buckets and open jump shots. The guards of the Red Lions will have to perform as usual with John Hermida and Garvo Lanete leading the Lions' offense, and Sudan Daniel has to focus and do the dirty work inside. Dave Marcelo and Pascual must help Daniel inside and be assertive.

Meanwhile on defense, the Lions must limit RJ Jazul's production, as surely he will be the focal point of the Knights' offense and they must make sure they shut down the Knights' frontline and make it tough for them to score, as their scorings options is now down to a few players.

Coach Louie Alas has pretty much his work cut-out for his team, now that the Knights will not have Rey Guevarra in their matchup against the Lions, the focal point of the offense will surely be with RJ Jazul, and every little help he could get from his teammates will be much appreciated. Kirk Del Rosario must step it up a notch and so does John Foronda and Kris Alas must avoid foul trouble if possible as the Knights' frontline is not as deep compared to the Lions.

On defense, the Knights could take advantage of Daniel's moody character, and with the physical play of the Knights, this is pretty much possible. If they are able to make Daniel get the focus out of the game, then the Knights' frontline could take that advantage to score inside. They must also limit the production the Lions will make from their guards and shut down the passing lanes from their penetration.

Prediction: SBC will take this one, unless a miracle happens and someone from the Knights step-up.

San Sebastian College-Recoletos Golden Stags vs Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers

The second matchup is interesting, with the Stags ending on a losing skid from the eliminations and the playoff game heading into the matchup with the Heavy Bombers going easy and preparing for the Final Four.

Unlike their neighbors in Mendiola, the Stags are at an all-time low this season, getting back-to-back defeats for the first time this season against the Red Lions, and aside from that, Jimbo Aquino will most likely be suspended for what he did against San Beda's Jake Pascual.

On the other hand, things look good for the Heavy Bombers, having a long break preparing for the Final Four and even though they have to beat the Stags twice to advance to the Finals, their opponents are pretty much tired from two exhausting and close games against the Red Lions.

This will be coach Ato Agustin's first ever Final Four appearance, and also for the Stags in a while. However, their leading scorer Jimbo Aquino will not be with them for the first game of the Final Four therefore, Calvin Abueva, and Ronald Pascual must step-up and taking the scoring slack for the Stags. The guards Anthony Del Rio and Pamboy Raymundo must trigger their high octane offense that has been missing against the Red Lions and setup Ian Sangalang and Gilbert Bulawan on the inside for those easy buckets.

On defense, they must limit the outside shooting of MVP candidate John Wilson and Marc Cagoco while keeping the pressure inside. Abueva also must make his presence felt inside, along with Sangalang and Bulawan to matchup against the frontline of James Sena, John Njei and Marvin Hayes and make sure that they keep the game close.

Meanwhile experience is on the Heavy Bombers' side, being a finalist a year ago and most of the core of that lineup intact, the Heavy Bombers will rely again on John Wilson's all around game while Marc Cagoco must make sound decisions on the court. James Sena must step-up in this game and assert himself inside. Marvin Hayes and John Njei will do the dirty work and grab those second chance points for the Bombers. The Bombers must limit their turnovers too to prevent those fastbreak points for the Stags.

On defense, Njei and Hayes must prevent those easy baskets for the Stags' frontline and grab those defensive rebounds. The guards of the Bombers must pressure the Stags' backcourt and make them earn their points or forces some turnovers and take advantage of the fatigue factor from the get go.

Prediction: JRU will take this one, with the inexperience and fatigue factor for the Stags and the experience JRU has, this will be a learning experience for them and also, for their coach Ato Agustin.

Basketball Happenings in the Last 7 Days

- San Beda forges a playoff for the number 1 seed against San Sebastian, 71-67. The two teams will play again on Wednesday to settle the Final Four positioning.

- PBA started its 35th season with Japeth Aguilar playing for Burger King, however, his Burger King debut was not the way he would like it to be, losing to Purefoods 93-80.

- Ateneo won the UAAP Championship for the second straight year for the seniors and the Eaglets also won the Juniors crown.

- Also, another basketball league is born, the Asean Basketball League, where different countries from South East Asia battles for basketball supremacy in the region, and the game started off between two rivals, the Philippine Patriots and the Indonesia Satra Muda BriTama with the Philippines getting the first ever win of the league, 76-69.

- Speaking of Asean Basketball League, this is a great league for Filipinos, as it gives more opportunities for Filipino Basketball players to showcase their skills as some of them are playing as imports for other countries like Indonesia, Brunei and Singapore, where Rensy Bajar, Don Camaso and Al Vergara plays as an import.

- Also, Congratulations to Firequinito.com for winning the Best Sports Blog at the 2009 Philippine Blog Awards. Keep up the good work and best wishes for defending the crown on 2010.

Letran Deals San Sebastian their First Loss This Season

It was just a matter of time. The Letran Knights, led by their two Smart Gilas staltwarts, RJ Jazul and Rey Guevarra as the patented full court press defense of the Knights was used to stop the San Sebastian Golden Stags 80-63, as the Knights improve to 12-5 and deals a blow to an automatic ticket to the Finals for the Stags as they go 15-1.

The game started with 2 technical fouls with 8 minutes left into the first canto, as both teams accounted for 9 technical fouls in the first half, as the rivalry of the Knights and the Stags gets a revival as both teams implied tough defense in the first half with a low scoring game of 30-25, in favor of Letran.

Letran started to breakout in the third, as they have pushed the lead as far as 12 points but Calvin Abueva made sure that did not happen, as he led the Stags comeback and keeping the game in striking distance as the Stags trailed by 9, 53-44 heading into the fourth.

By then, fatigue and frustation showed into the Stags as Letran showed their experience and pulled away in the fourth and frustrated San Sebastian hotshot Jimbo Aquino. The Stags felt the pressure and physicality as they shot poorly from the free throw line.

With the Stags losing, this means the spot for the number 1 of the standings is still open, as they face two opponents who would want to get on top of the eliminations, Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers on September 28 and San Beda Red Lions on the last game of the eliminations on October 7. Both of these teams are at 14-2 and this means that the rankings in the Final Four is still not settled.

Stags Re-writes History as they beat the Chiefs to go 15-0 in the NCAA Eliminations

The San Sebastian Golden Stags drubbed the Arellano University Chiefs 100-66 as Ian Sangalang led the Stags with 28 markers as the Stags writes history for a 15-0 record, the longest winning streak in the NCAA which also puts Rookie Head Coach Ato Agustin with the best start as a coach ever in the NCAA.

The Stags just dominated the game. not giving the Chiefs a single chance of making a comeback as Calvin Abueva added 12 points and 8 rebounds while giving a suffocating full-court press defense against the Chiefs as the Stags aim to get away from the rest of the pack and get that perfect sweep in the Eliminations to get an automatic Finals berth, but this will not be easy as they will face on the the Letran Knights, the JRU Heavy Bombers and the SBC Red Lions in their last 3 games of the Eliminations.

Meanwhile in the first game, the Mapua Institute of Technology Cardinals beats the Emilio Aguinaldo Generals 87-69 to improve to 4-12 as the Generals fell to 5-12 record.

Games on Wednesday will be the Angeles University Foundation Great Danes taking on the Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers at 2pm as the College of Saint Benilde Blazers take on the San Beda Red Lions at 4pm. The Heavy Bombers and the Red Lions aim to win as both teams fight for that 2nd place and that twice-to-beat advantage heading into the Final Four.

The NCAA Pre Final Four : Who says the NCAA is not as good as the UAAP? II

The UAAP Final Four starts this Saturday, and while the NCAA's season is still running, the Final Four teams of the NCAA is now settled, San Sebastian Stags, Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers, San Beda Red Lions, and the Letran Knights are in the Final Four. Although it seems the Final Four teams are now clinched, it does not mean the remaining games of the NCAA have no bearings and pretty much boring games, in fact it is the opposite, especially with the four teams in the Final Four and the Arellano University Chiefs, the most successful of the three guest teams this season. Let's have an outlook at each team's remaining games and see their chances in the Final Four.

1. San Sebastian College-Recoletos Golden Stags - If there were no guest teams this season and this was a usual conventional season of the NCAA, the Stags would have been in the Finals already with their 14-0 card. The Stags were not seen to be this big, but Rookie coach Ato Agustin was able to form this team and build on the last season's good campaign to revive the Stags' winning tradition. Although they are set on going 18-0, it will not be easy, as the face the top 5 teams in the last 4 games. They are set to take on Arellano, Letran, Jose Rizal and San Beda in the final game of the season. This is no easy task if the Stags wants a ticket at an outright Finals berth but if the Stags will be able to write history, this is something that could never happen again in a long time for Philippine Basketball, especially with a Rookie Head Coach in Ato Agustin.

2. Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers - After beating the Red Lions to regain the number 2 slot, the chances of securing the number two slot seems bright for JRU, as they warm up against the Angeles University Foundation Great Danes to prepare for the big matchup against the undefeated Stags, which will be crucial to both teams placing in the standings for the Final Four. This is a big game for JRU if they wish to maintain a top two spot this season, they must get this one against the San Sebastian Golden Stags. The Bombers will end the Eliminations against the Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals, as they have this big chance of securing the number two slot with a lighter schedule than the Red Lions.

3. San Beda Red Lions - Losing to the Heavy Bombers does not help their campaign this season, especially on getting that crucial second spot for the twice-to-beat advantage in the Final Four. The Lions have a chance to get back on winning track as they face the College of Saint Benilde Blazers, but then things will start to get rough as they next face the Colegio de San Juan Letran Knights, and the San Sebastian Golden Stags. The Red Lions' schedule is tougher than the Heavy Bombers but this will be a test of their character as a team heading into the Final Four as they aim to get that number two spot.

4. Colegio de San Juan Letran Knights - Well well well, the Chiefs have shot themselves in the foot, and this means the Letran Knights have clinched the Final Four slot. Now, the Knights has a very very slim chance for the number 2 slot if the Heavy Bombers or the Red Lions lose their three remaining games, which is very unlikely as these two teams are fighting to win games to get that number 2 seed themselves. The Knights face off two of their biggest rivals, the Golden Stags and the Red Lions to end their season and to prepare for their Final Four encounter.

5. Arellano University Chiefs - I take back what I said on the first article, they did not show any heart and passion on the game against the Mapua Cardinals as they ended their Final Four chances by losing to the Cardinals badly, 74-59. What seems to be a successful first apperance is now starting to become a disappointment, as the Chiefs are now on a 4 game losing skid and this streak might extend to 5 as they face on the San Sebastian Stags next. They can still duke it out on the last two games against the University of Perpetual Help Altas and the Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals to end the season on a winning note.

The NCAA Pre-Final Four : Who says the NCAA is not as good as the UAAP?

The UAAP Final Four starts this Saturday, and while the NCAA's season is still running, the Final Four teams of the NCAA is pretty much settled, while guest team Arellano University Chiefs are keeping their hopes alive, San Sebastian Stags, Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers, San Beda Red Lions, and the Letran Knights are in most likely in the Final Four. Although it seems pretty much settled, it does not mean the remaining games of the NCAA have no bearings and pretty much boring games, in fact it is the opposite, especially with the five teams in contention for the Final Four. Let's have an outlook at each team's remaining games and see their chances in the Final Four.

1. San Sebastian College-Recoletos Golden Stags - If there were no guest teams this season and this was a usual conventional season of the NCAA, the Stags would have been in the Finals already with their 14-0 card. The Stags were not seen to be this big, but Rookie coach Ato Agustin was able to form this team and build on the last season's good campaign to revive the Stags' winning tradition. Although they are set on going 18-0, it will not be easy, as the face the top 5 teams in the last 4 games. They are set to take on Arellano, Letran, Jose Rizal and San Beda in the final game of the season. This is no easy task if the Stags wants a ticket at an outright Finals berth but if the Stags will be able to write history, this is something that could never happen again in a long time for Philippine Basketball, especially with a Rookie Head Coach in Ato Agustin.

2. Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers - After beating the Red Lions to regain the number 2 slot, the chances of securing the number two slot seems bright for JRU, as they warm up against the Angeles University Foundation Great Danes to prepare for the big matchup against the undefeated Stags, which will be crucial to both teams placing in the standings for the Final Four. This is a big game for JRU if they wish to maintain a top two spot this season, they must get this one against the San Sebastian Golden Stags. The Bombers will end the Eliminations against the Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals, as they have this big chance of securing the number two slot with a lighter schedule than the Red Lions.

3. San Beda Red Lions - Losing to the Heavy Bombers does not help their campaign this season, especially on getting that crucial second spot for the twice-to-beat advantage in the Final Four. The Lions have a chance to get back on winning track as they face the College of Saint Benilde Blazers, but then things will start to get rough as they next face the Colegio de San Juan Letran Knights, and the San Sebastian Golden Stags. The Red Lions' schedule is tougher than the Heavy Bombers but this will be a test of their character as a team heading into the Final Four as they aim to get that number two spot.

4. Colegio de San Juan Letran Knights - They pretty much have secured the number 4 slot, but it will still not be easy as their last two remaining games will be against the top 3 of the league, the San Sebastian Golden Stags and San Beda Red Lions. The Knights will be hoping that the Golden Stags will finish off the Arellano University Chiefs to secure their Final Four slot, as the chiefs will be having a pretty much light schedule. So unless an upset happens and the Knights and Chiefs will battle for a playoff spot, it is likely that the Knights will be at the number 4 slot come the end of the Elimination round.

5. Arellano University Chiefs - The guest team of the NCAA this season is making sure that their appearance in the last Philippine Collegiate Championship top 8 is no fluke, by having a 7-7 record and still having a slim chance at making the Final Four while wishing for Letran to lose its final two games, the Chiefs pretty much have a chance at it, as they start off against the Mapua Institute of Technology Cardinals, and then the crucial game against the San Sebastian Golden Stags, and in case of an upset and they beat the Stags, they pretty much have a light schedule as they face the University of Perpetual Help Altas and the Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals to top off a successful first season appearance in the NCAA.