Mapua University and San Beda University have some history together.
In 1991 — the last finals appearance and championship of Mapua — the Cardinals edged the Red Lions in three games to capture the NCAA Season 67 title.
31 years later, Mapua made history again by defeating San Beda in the Season 97 Final Four to barge into the finals opposite the defending champion Colegio de San de Letran.
Mapua head coach Randy Alcantara, who was part of that 1991 championship team, said that though their conquest of San Beda is sweet, it's just a coincidence that this was the team they needed to hurdle to make their long-awaited finals return.
"Masaya na nakuha namin itong panalo against San Beda kasi nag-sikap at nag-trabaho ‘yung mga players eh so talagang cine-credit ko ‘to sa mga players ko," said Alcantara following a 70-67 victory on Wednesday.
"Nagkataon lang siguro talaga na San Beda pero gusto lang talaga namin makabalik para sa Mapua community."
Alcantara is also pinning his hopes that there's some magic left over from their 1991 title run and their surprising performance this season that can spill over to their upcoming dogfight against the powerhouse Letran Knights.
"Sana nga magtuloy-tuloy at sana ganon pa rin, maka-prepare kami at makatrabaho nang maayos dito sa Letran," said Alcantara. "And again, talagang hindi biro pumasok sa finals kaya siguro mas titriplehin namin ‘yung trabaho namin."
The win in the Final Four on Wednesday capped an exciting trilogy of matches between the two this season, including a 68-54 stunner in the elimination round — San Beda's first loss of the season — and a 73-67 overtime victory for the Red Lions over the twice-to-beat Cardinals in their first Final Four clash.
—JMB, GMA News
