San Beda bounces back, forces winner-take-all NCAA championship game against Mapua

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

The San Beda Red Lions roared with their never-say-die attitude and equalized their NCAA Season 99 men’s basketball championship series against the Mapua Cardinals, 71-65, to force a do-or-die Game 3 last December 10, 2023, held at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.

After a sluggish Game 1 start during the grand finals series, the Red Lions finally found their stride and executed their game plan to perfection.

San Beda quickly established a double-digit lead in the first half after draining most of their shots from the perimeter while also attacking the Mapua interior to fish for more fouls.

Just when the Red Lions thought they could continue with its mayhem attack, the Cardinals deployed several adjustments that slowed their scoring down in the second half.

From trailing by double digits, Mapua’s defensive intensity helped them claw their way back in the third quarter and stunned San Beda to snatch away the momentum.

Despite Clint Escamis’ shooting woes, the Cardinals got back into the game with their tight defensive coverage that helped them blitz their way to a 23-6 third-quarter scoring.

When San Beda needed someone to step up, Jacob Cortez courageously answered the call and carried the Red Lions in the most crucial stretch of the ball game.

When the Cardinals retook the advantage in the final five minutes of the nip-and-tuck affair, Cortez went unconscious from the field and fired 10 points that put San Beda back in the driver’s seat.

After Cortez’s eruption from the shooting field, the Cardinals failed to host one last stand and could only watch the Red Lions celebrate its victory.

Cortez wrapped up his amazing Game 2 performance with 21 points, nine rebounds, three assists, and two steals.

“One more week of course. Game 3 it’s the same intensity ang what we want to bring sa Game 3. It’s a do or die game, same din sa ginawa namin today. Sabi ko todo na ito. We’ve been in this situation before, not just one time, but five, six times nangyari sa amin ito,” said San Beda chief mentor Yuri Escueta.

Both teams will meet again for all the marbles on December 17, 2023, at 2 PM to be held at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.