
San Beda takes it
SAN Beda ended a five-year championship wait with a 76-66 win over Mapua in the NCAA men’s basketball Finals yesterday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Securing a league-best 23rd crown, the Red Lions won the best-of-three title series, 2-1, while denying the Cardinals to capture their first championship since 1991.
Losing in its first three battles to top-ranked Mapua this season, San Beda found its groove just in time to become the kings once more.
The Red Lions really thrived in do-or-die situations.
Entering the Final Four as the No. 3 team, San Beda needed to beat second-ranked Lyceum of the Philippines University twice to reach the league’s biggest stage for the first time since 2019.
“Personally, of course I’m happy. But at the same time, I’m very happy for my players,” said a jubilant Yuri Escueta after securing his first collegiate coaching title.
In his second season with the Mendiola-based program, Escueta has been a proven to be a winner, as he won UAAP titles as a player for Ateneo in juniors and men’s division.
Despite a forgettable preseason, the Red Lions preservered to achieve their ultimate goal.
“There are guys who left. There are guys who stayed and they set to themselves that this is us. We will gonna work hard for this. Pinagtrabahuan namin ito since January. Lahat pinagdaanan namin,” said Escueta.
James Payosing produced a double-double of 11 points and 14 rebounds that went along with two steals to become the Finals MVP.
Yukien Andrada scored 18 of his 20 points in the second half and had six boards and two steals while Nygel Gonzales was the other San Beda player in double digits with 10 points.
Andrada matched the Cardinals’ nine points in the final period, while the Red Lions scored 23 in the quarter that sealed the deal.
JC Recto led Mapua with 18 points and 13 rebounds while season MVP Clint Escamis had another rough shooting afternoon, going 4-of-22 to finish with 13 points. Peter Rosillo chipped in 10 points.
The scores:
San Beda (76) – Andrada 20, Payosing 11, Gonzales 10, Cortez 8, Royo 6, Jopia 6, Tagle 4, Alfaro 4, Puno 3, Visser 2, Cuntapay 2.
Mapua (66) – Recto 18, Escamis 13, Rosillo 10, Hernandez 6, Cuenco 5, Dalisay 5, Bonifacio 4, Soriano 3, Fornis 2, Bancale 0, Sabsalon 0.
Quarterscores: 24-15; 36-35; 53-57; 76-66.