By MARK REY MONTEJO
There’s no Battle of Intramuros, but for sure there will be another classic title encounter in the country’s oldest collegiate league starting next week.
This as San Beda foiled Lyceum’s dream title clash with neighbor Mapua after the Red Lions displayed great character from the get go to humble the Pirates, 82-72, in their knockout game for the last finals berth Friday, Dec. 1, in the NCAA Season 99 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Not only the Lions showed steely resolve, but were sharp and deadly from afar after burying nine triples in the final half, including seven in the third quarter that built them enough cushion to weather a furious fourth quarter surge by the Pirates.
This time, it was .James Payosing’s turn to shine, topscoring with 18 points while Jomel Puno poured in eight of his 15 points in the fourth quarter to frustrate the Pirates once again.
Nygel Gonzales was also instrumental as he chipped in 11 points, including three booming triples that sparked that decisive third quarter salvo.
It was another disappointing finish for the Pirates.
They made it to the finals two in a row in 2017-18 with CJ Perez, but they were frustrated in both occasions – no else but the mighty Lions.
Behind the gutsy effort of Enoch Valdez, the Pirates pulled to within 54-51 going into the final 10 minutes of play.
But it proved to be the closest they could come as the Lions struck again from 3-point area, including one from Gonzales to completely disarm Lyceum’s twice-to-beat advantage and arrange a title series with the top-seeded Cardinals starting on Wednesday..
“Si Nygel ‘yung big game no’ng dumidikit sila, they were zoning and staying on Jacob Cortez, luckily, they left some guys open and those guys were ready to shoot,’ ‘ said coach Yuri Escueta.
The 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.
Quarters: 26-17; 41-38; 66-56; 82-72.
