Game today:
(Smart Araneta Coliseum)
2 p.m. — Mapua vs San Beda
Once the dust has settled, only one team will stand tall and lift the coveted Season 99 National Collegiate Athletic Association men’s basketball title.
Since Mapua University and San Beda University have won a game each, all roads lead to the Smart Araneta Coliseum at 2 p.m. today for Game 3 in this championship series that has been played intensely.
The Cardinals took Game 1, 68-63, last 6 December at the Mall of Asia Arena and the Red Lions stole Game 2, 71-65, on 10 December in the same venue.
San Beda aims to finally end a five-year title drought and add its 23rd championship.
But Mapua, a team that made the finals in Season 97, will do everything in its power to finally taste the sweetness of an NCAA crown after a long 32-year wait.
Led by a solid crew of Paolo Hernandez, Mythical Team member Warren Bonifacio and Rookie of the Year and Most Valuable Player Clint Escamis, the Cardinals eye to break a shooting slump after being held down to a horrendous 5-of-33 three-point shooting in Game 2 and hope to get the school’s sixth NCAA crown.
In an interview with DAILY TRIBUNE, Mapua head coach Randy Alcantara said that they have to be aggressive on both ends of the floor to get their shots.
“Game 3 will be all about the players. They will be the ones who will deliver in the game, especially on defense,” said Alcantara, who was part of the 1991 NCAA title run with Benny Cheng.
“It’s the deciding game so we all have to go all out.”
“We fell in love with the three-pointers last game. Hopefully, our shots will fall this time.”
Meanwhile, San Beda tactician Yuri Escueta said the team has to improve on its free throw shooting and rebounding to help them boost its title chances.
Escueta, also an assistant coach for the TNT Tropang Giga in the Philippine Basketball Association, wants his players to focus on their shots just be in the moment.
San Beda went 17-of-34 from the line and was outhustled, 49-63, in rebounding in Game 2 last Sunday.
“At the same time, we’re trying to recover. Some of the players have been banged up. Jacob (Cortez) didn’t practice with us for three days,” Escueta said.
“I just told them to focus. There will be nerves in the game along with anxiety. Just focus on your shots and just stay in the present.”
Cortez is expected to lead the charge for San Beda after flirting with a double-double with 21 points and nine rebounds in Game 2.
Yukien Andrada, James Payosing and rookie Jomel Puno are also expected to fortify the Lions’ bid for another NCAA championship.
