Game 1 of the historic #NCAASigloUno Finals went Mapúa’s way– a win that underscored their championship experience and familiarity with the distinct finals atmosphere. Standing in their way are the much-improved Benilde Blazers, who will be fighting for their lives come Game 2.
Whether the Cardinals are due for a gold medal finish, or Benilde lives to fight another day will be a topic for discussion on Saturday. But first, here’s a noteworthy recap of the respective roads that led Mapúa and Benilde to their first-ever duel in the NCAA finals.
MAPÚA CARDINALS: CONFIDENCE AND CONSISTENCY
If the Mapúa faithful are to believe in their destiny of finally winning a chip after a 33-year wait, then #NCAA100 might very well be that opportune moment where their dreams turn into reality.
For one, they have not missed a beat since their October 8 loss to San Beda at the tail-end of the first round.
They swept their last nine games with a spotless 9-0 card, and with their only three defeats in the hands of CSB, LPU, and San Beda all coming from way back Round 1, their confidence entering the Final Four was at an all-time high.
That’s tantamount to more than five weeks of not losing a single game in the NCAA– that in and of itself is proof of the Cardinals’ dominance this season.
With a 15-3 win-loss tally after eighteen assignments, they finished the elimination round at the top of the standings– a repeat of their first place finish in Season 99.
Entering the Final Four, the Cardinals were practically the best three-point shooting team in the NCAA: most threes made (161), and second overall in three-point percentage (28.96%).
Being slated against an inspired LPU Pirates in the Final Four was a tough mission for Coach Randy Alcantara and his boys, but they took care of business early and without hesitation.
They continued their rampage with a 10-point beatdown of host school LPU on the back of Clint Escamis who came through with 33 big points.
The reigning MVP practically picked the Pirates’ defense apart. He drained five threes and padded the sheets with four boards, three dimes, two swipes, and a block, laced with an efficient showing from the freethrow line (8/9).
Despite a sluggish third quarter that saw the Pirates rise from the ashes with a momentary five-point lead, the Cardinals stayed composed and used their bevy of offensive weapons to finally pull away in the fourth.
Following their win over LPU, Mapúa had booked their third finals apperance in four seasons.
BENILDE BLAZERS: BUFF AND BLAZING
The Benilde Blazers came into Season 100 boasting a revamped roster that welcomed fresh talent coming off residency.
The green-and-white's powerhouse status with the addition of the likes of Allen Liwag, Jhomel Ancheta, Winston Ynot, Justine Sanchez, and Gab Cometa, was impressive not only on paper, even more so on the court as the season progressed.
They were the league’s number one team for almost seven weeks. It largely felt like they were the ultimate team to beat, especially with highly touted MVP candidate Allen Liwag towing the way, only to be overtaken by fellow contender Mapúa in the penultimate stages of the season.
The Blazers, nonetheless, looked powerful and primed to make a legitimate run for the coveted ring, ranking third overall in scoring with the best field goal percentage as a team.
They were also a force in the paint all season long, ranking first in scoring from the paint and everywhere else inside the arc.
As if these weren’t enough, they also finished the elimination round as the number one rebounding and assist team in the NCAA with close to 50 boards and 18 dimes a contest.
Needless to say, they 'oozed' with confidence entering the Final Four, which eventually translated into their demolition job of the defending champs that effectively prevented a back-to-back.
It was another day at the office for Benilde top dog Allen Liwag who dominated the paint and posted game-high numbers of 20 points and eight boards on 9/12 shooting.
The Blazers used a masterful first quarter to gain every inch of momentum against a Jomel Puno-less San Beda, and torched them in the second frame to end the half with a 26-point advantage, 53-27.
Benilde’s suffocating defense limited the Red Lions’ offense to only 33% field goal shooting, consequently shutting down San Beda leaders Yukien Andrada, Bismarck Lina, Bryan Sajonia, and Emman Tagle.
The Blazers have now entered the NCAA Final Four for three consecutive seasons, and they are back competing in the Finals two seasons after their failed attempt against the Fran Yu-led Letran Knights.
FINALS GAME 1
Game 1 of the Finals last December 1 went to Mapúa, led by a monster performance from reigning MVP Clint Escamis in what would be one of the most special games in his collegiate career.
On Saturday, December 7 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, the Cardinals will have the chance of a lifetime to seal a legacy-defining win that would give their alma mater its first championship trophy in 33 years.
While the Benilde Blazers, with their backs against the wall, will hope to sneak by and extend the series to a winner-take-all Game 3.
