For a basketball program like San Beda's, five years perhaps seemed like a long time.
They saw the title slip from their hands in 2019 as Colegio de San Juan de Letran started their three-peat reign, before eventually reclaiming the NCAA men's basketball title as the Red Lions defeated Mapua University in Game 3 of the Season 99 Finals, 76-66, on Sunday.
As the august halls of the Big Dome saw history unfold in one December afternoon, the crown returned to Mendiola after a challenging season for San Beda.
After ending the first round with a 7-2 card, the Red Lions struggled early in the second round as they lost four of five games before winning four straight and book a slot in the Final Four with a 12-6 card.
In both San Beda-Mapua matchups in the elimination round, the Cardinals had the upper hand.
Mapua won, 75-57, in their first round matchup, while in the second round, the Intramuros-based squad eked out another 71-69 win against San Beda.
While Mapua had a smoother journey as they finished the elimination round with a 15-3 card and dispatched De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde in the Final Four, 78-67, San Beda, had it harder as they entered the Final Four at the third spot with a twice-to-win disadvantage.
However, do-or-die games are not new for the Red Lions.
Despite needing to win twice, San Beda took on the challenge and overcame Lyceum of the Philippines University in the Final Four, 89-68 and 82-72 before stepping into the finals.
Carrying a six-game winning streak, the Red Lions stepped onto the finals stage anew after four years.
In Game 1 of the Season 99 Finals, Mapua squeaked past San Beda, 68-66.
With their backs against the wall, the Red Lions came out stronger in Game 2 and defeated Mapua, 68-63.
A week after, the Mendiola crew painted the town red in Game 3, and victory was theirs again.
Back in 1991, it was Mapua that won the crown against San Beda. In a finals matchup that took 32 years to happen, it was San Beda's turn to win the trophy.
In Season 99, Mapua defeated San Beda twice in the elimination round.
In the finals, the red-and-white squad needed three games to win two — and those were the two most important games of the season.
In a blink of an eye, five title-less years were gone.
The Red Lions are once again kings and Mendiola is celebrating.
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
