Mapua University will hardly get a breather as it prepares against San Beda University in the National Collegiate Athletic Association Season 99 men’s basketball tournament best-of-three finals series starting Wednesday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Cardinals head coach Randy Alcantara said they will use their break to train and brace for a tough battle against a red-hot San Beda squad that had won its last six matches.
Mapua, which topped the eliminations, made short work of College of Saint Benilde in the Final Four, 78-67, on 28 November while the Red Lions overcame a twice-to-beat disadvantage as it pulled off back-to-back wins, 89-68 and 82-72, over Lyceum of the Philippines University in the other semis pairing.
“We worked on our physical conditioning because our last two games — Jose Rizal University and Saint Benilde — really exhausted us so we needed to get some rest,” Alcantara said.
“We’re going to be up against a different San Beda team after they won six straight games. Their players gained a lot of confidence.”
The finals series will be a
highly-anticipated affair as it will be the first time for Mapua and San Beda to clash for the title since 1991. This season, Mapua swept San Beda in the elimination round, 75-57 on 29 September and 71-69 on 12 November.
Leading the charge for the Cardinals is Rookie of the Year and Most Valuable Player frontrunner Clint Escamis, who averages 16.5 points, 5.9 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 3.6 steals.
Alcantara said the experience they gained in the finals in Season 97 is a big boost to their title drive. Aside from that, Escamis also gained University Athletic Association of the Philippines experience when he suited up for University of the East last year.
“We’re back in the finals after a year and in this season, those who had the experience in playing in Season 97 we’re able to adjust. We all know Clint’s addition to the team is a big deal, especially with his experience playing in the UAAP,” Alcantara said.
“We’re just going to focus on our defense and playing them again is just a bonus. The style of play back then is different than today.”
“We have to avoid miscommunications and our energy dropping that results in turnovers.”
