SSC seeks first PCCL crown
MANILA, Philippines — San Sebastian tries to become the first NCAA team to win the Philippine Collegiate Champions League crown Monday when it battles defending champion Ateneo at The Arena in San Juan.
The Stags enjoy a twice-to-beat advantage but the Eagles are expected to come out strong in their 4 p.m. tussle and force a knockout match for the title on Thursday.
Since the tournament was launched in 2002 to determine the best collegiate team in the land, no school from country's oldest varsity league has won this annual event.
The Stags are determined to make history to make up for their stinging defeat to San Beda College in the NCAA finals.
Behind NCAA Most Valuable Player Calvin Abueva, San Sebastian bucked the absence of injured star Ronald Pascual (ACL) by securing the best record after the single-round semifinals, highlighted by a come-from-behind 70-69 win over Ateneo.
Despite a stunning 92-71 loss to University of Cebu on Thursday, the Stags are hoping to make a repeat of their victory against the Blue Eagles this time for the title.
"It's going to be a different ballgame. We know Ateneo is the favorites and they're a tough team that will not give up easily," said coach Topex Robinson.
Robinson will also lean on lefty center Ian Sangalang, guard Jovit dela Cruz and reserve big man Michael Miranda, who gave Greg Slaughter plenty of trouble in their match with the Eagles.
Ateneo, the four-time UAAP champion, clinched the last finals berth by downing NCAA champion San Beda, 86-73, on Friday. But the Eagles face another similar twice-to-beat hole like they did the past two PCCL finals.
"We really want to win the (PCCL) championship but at the same time it's been a very long season," Ateneo coach Norman Black said. "We've been playing since the end of March so we're now at the light of the end of the tunnel as far as this year is concerned."
The Loyola-based cagers, arguably the country's best collegiate team, overcame Game 1 defeats to Far Eastern University and Adamson to win the title series the past two seasons.
Greg Slaughter, Kiefer Ravena and UAAP Finals MVP Nico Salva along with veterans Emman Monfort and Kirk Long will lead Ateneo's quest to end the year with a bang.
Source: http://mb.com.ph/articles/344466/ssc-seeks-first-pccl-crown
