Lyle Antipuesto (center) of the San Sebastian Golden Stags desperately holds on to the ball as Dave Marcelo (L) and Anjo Caram (R) of the San Beda Red Lions try to steal it during game 2 of the NCAA best-of-three finals series, Wednesday, October 26. San Beda won again 57-55 to take home the championship. Photo by Diana Moraleda for abs-cbnNEWS.com.

MANILA, Philippines (2nd UPDATE)  - The San Beda College (SBC) Red Lions defeated the San Sebastian College-Recoletos (SSC-R) Golden Stags, 57-55 in Game 2 of the NCAA Season 87 Finals to clinch their 2nd straight title and 16th crown in school history.

Much like their Game 1 triumph, the Red Lions took control in the final period after exchanging baskets and leads with the Golden Stags in the first 3 quarters.

With main gunner Garvo Lanete under the weather, back-up forward David Semerad stepped up, scoring 7 points in the 4th quarter, including the vital go-ahead lay-up with 6:09 to go.

Strong defense by the Red Lions held the Stags to only 5 points in the final period, as San Sebastian bombed away from the outside to little effect.

"It feels great, walang kaparis," said San Beda head coach Frankie Lim, who has won 4 titles in 5 years at the helm for the Lions. "Yung mga players namin, they've been working hard all year round. This is the prize we get for our hard work."

Graduating big man Dave Marcelo was named Finals Most Valuable Player (MVP) after anchoring the San Beda defense throughout the series, averaging 8 points and 13.5 boards in two games.

Lim complimented his back-up players after the game, especially Game 1 hero, Mar Villahermosa, and twin brothers Anthony and David Semerad.

"These guys can play. They can deliver. In the past 2 games, medyo off si Gabo (Lanete), and the twins were there," he said.

"Sabi ko sa kanila, there's no tomorrow. We should make this game our last game in the NCAA, and they responded well," Lim added.

Semerad had 15 points while Marcelo collared 16 rebounds for the Red Lions. League MVP Calvin Abueva finished with 12 points and 13 rebounds, but missed a crucial free throw late in the 4th period.

Poor shot selection

Early on, it seemed as though the series was destined to go to a deciding Game 3 after San Sebastian's Pinatubo Trio led the Stags to a 32-27 halftime lead.

Ronald Pascual finally broke out of his shooting slump, making 4 3-point shots in the first half, while Calvin Abueva and Ian Sangalang were effective in going to the basket.

But the Stags were doomed by their poor shot selection in the 2nd half, as they elected to force outside shots rather than take high-percentage shots near the basket.

The final quarter was a defensive grind for both teams, but the Red Lions' offense was more effective, with Baser Amer and Lanete often able to find David Semerad for open baseline jumpers.

The Stags had a chance to win the game in the dying seconds, but Pascual's 3-pointer was off the mark.

San Sebastian shot 32% for the game, making 22-of-69 field goal attempts. They had only 10 field goals in the 2nd half of the game.

Historic title

The Red Lions have now won 16 championships in the men's basketball division, putting them in a tie with the Colegio de San Juan de Letran Knights for most in NCAA history.

But San Beda's road to the champion this season was longer than last years, wherein they fashioned a historic 18-game sweep of the season.

This time, the Red Lions lost last season's MVP Sudan Daniel to an ACL injury prior to the start of Season 87. Their 26-game winning streak was snapped by the Stags at the end of the 1st round, and were then upset by the Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers in the 2nd round.

But the Red Lions peaked at the right time, hitting their stride right in time for the Final Four and the Finals.

It is the team's 4th championship under Frankie Lim and 5th in the last 6 years. In the past 6 NCAA seasons, the Red Lions only lost in 2009, against the Stags.