Never count San Beda University out in a National Collegiate Athletic Association men’s basketball finals series.
The Red Lions pulled a 71-65 win over Mapua University in Game 2 Sunday at the Mall of Asia Arena as they stayed alive in the hunt for the NCAA Season 99 crown.
Timely baskets from Jacob Cortez, James Payosing and Yukien Andrada capped an 11-2 run with two minutes and 10 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter electrified a mammoth crowd of 22,465 spectators for a 70-63 lead.
Game 1 went to Mapua’s favor, 68-63.
The much-anticipated do-or-die game will be held on 17 December at the Smart Araneta Coliseum and should San Beda win, it will be the school’s 23rd men’s basketball title in the NCAA.
Lions head coach Yuri Escueta lauded Jacob Cortez, who scored 21 points and deflected the credit to his players after finally getting a win over Mapua this season.
“After a bad game like that, that kid is special and he told me before the ball game that he doesn’t want to lose,” Escueta said.
“It’s not just Jacob. Peter (Alfaro), Payosing and Yukien, I saw in their eyes that they wouldn’t lose today. I was the one infected by their intensity and their eagerness not to give up,” Escueta said.
“If there is one thing we now know and our players believe in is that we can beat them.”
Rookie Jomel Puno dropped nine points for the Lions while Clifford Jopia had eight and grabbed 11 rebounds.
Rookie of the Year and Most Valuable Player Clint Escamis admitted that the defense of San Beda proved pivotal as he labored for 15 points on 4of-21 shooting.
“They prepared their defense for me. I was trying to give the ball to the open man and I would take open shots. It was just an off night for me,” said Escamis, who was also given the Mythical 5 and Defensive Team honors before the game.
Mapua faced San Beda in 1991 and won it all after three games.
With another winner-take-all between two sides 32 years later this coming Sunday, it’s anybody’s ballgame.
