NCAA Finals opener to push through in spite of ‘Salome’

FILE: The league announced early Friday that the opener of the best-of-three series between Lyceum and San Beda at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City will push through as scheduled later in the day at 3:30 p.m. (Photo: NCAA Sports TV/Facebook)

MANILA — Not even tropical storm “Salome” can stop Game 1 of the NCAA men’s basketball finals from happening.

The league announced early Friday that the opener of the best-of-three series between Lyceum and San Beda at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City will push through as scheduled later in the day at 3:30 p.m.

Concerns about holding the championship showdown between the Pirates and the Red Lions arose when Metro Manila was placed under Signal No. 2 in the 11 p.m. bulletin of state weather agency PAGASA late Thursday night and that Manila mayor Joseph Estrada announced suspension of classes.

But with Salome expected to be out of landmass by Friday morning which may translate to a relatively better weather, the NCAA opted to go with the holding of Game 1.

Lyceum, behind top scorer CJ Perez, explosive twin guards Jaycee and Jayvee Marcelino, and dominant big man Mike Nzeusseu, completed an 18-0 sweep of the elimination round, giving the team an outright finals spot in only its first playoff appearance in the league since becoming a member school in 2011.

Meanwhile, San Beda, the defending champion, repulsed a late rally by San Sebastian in the knockout semifinal on Tuesday behind a 20-20 game from Javee Mocon to join Lyceum in the Last Dance. (PNA)