They are back in the NCAA Finals.
The San Beda Red Lions erased the twice-to-beat advantage of second-seed Lyceum of the Philippines University, 82-72, on Friday to set up a finals showdown with Mapua University in the NCAA Season 99.
San Beda now has a chance to redeem itself after missing both the finals of Season 97 and 98, which ended a string of championship appearances since 2006.
LPU executed what was its initial game plan in Game 1 which was to put the pressure on Jacob Cortez, limiting the third year ace to a scoreless first half and a seven-point total outing. However, the Pirates seemed to forget to stop the rest of the pack.
San Beda had a huge turnaround in the third when the Red Lions made it rain from downtown as Damie Cuntapay, Yukien Andrada, and Cortez powered a 12-0 run to break a 51-all deadlock and take a 63-51 lead.
The Pirates would answer with a quick 5-0 run but the Red Lions just couldn’t be stopped as Nygel Gonzales buried a final triple to close out the frame ahead by 10, 66-56.
Enoch Valdez, with their backs against the wall, slammed it up to slice the gap to 10 at 61-71.
The Mendiola crew, however, had an answer to every LPU rally as rookie Jomel Puno notched nine points to give San Beda an 80-67 cushion.
James Payosing starred for San Beda with a team-high 18 points alongside 10 rebounds, two assists, and one block while Puno finished with 15 markers and 10 boards. Rookie Nygel Gonzales also stepped up with 11 points, five assists, and two rebounds.
Valdez left everything on the floor with 28 points, seven rebounds, two steals, and one block while JM Bravo put together a double-double outing of 16 markers and 11 rebounds.
Scores:
San Beda 82- Payosing 18, Puno 15, Gonzales 11, Andrada 10, Cuntapay 9, Cortez 7, Jopia 6, Tagle 3, Visser 3, Alfaro 0.
LPU 72- Valdez 28, Bravo 16, Guadana 8, Barba 7, Cunanan 6, Villegas 4, Omandac 3, Montano 0, Umali 0, Penafiel 0.
Quarterscores: 26-17; 41-38; 66-56; 82-72.
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
