By MARK REY MONTEJO
It will be an epic showdown for glory and history as Mapua and San Beda brace for an all-out-war to open their best-of-three NCAA Season 99 men’s basketball tournament Finals at Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City on Wednesday, Dec. 6.
Tip-off of the series opener is at 2 p.m. with the Cardinals and the Red Lions all set to make a statement and draw first blood in the series.
San Beda is looking to ride the momentum of a strong semifinals performance that saw the Mendiola-based squad disarm second-seed and twice-to-beat Lyceum to make it back to the Finals after four years or since Season 95.
San Beda head coach Yuri Escueta said that his team found renewed determination following a tough 71-69 defeat against Mapua during the second round which incidentally put their playoff hopes on brink.
The victory not only fueled their resolve but also served as a catalyst for the Red Lions to survive crucial games, including the two do-or-die matches in the semis en route to the Finals.
“Tingin ko kasi na pang-sixth na do-or-die na namin ‘to eh simula nung natalo kami sa Mapua. So sinabi ko sa kanila na wala namang bago sa playoffs eh,” Escueta stressed.
“We have to prepare, di naman sila natalo in the first and second round. Their talent is ibang klase, that’s something that we have to be ready for. But it’s not gonna be easy, but everytime you’re wearing that San Beda jersey you want to represent and win that championship,” he added.
With star guard Jacob Cortez leading the charge along with guys like Jomel Puno, Peter Alfaro, James Payosing and Yukien Andrada, the Red Lions are hoping to bring the crown back to Mendiola.
Easier said than done, however, especially against a Mapua side aching to end a 32-year title drought following a stellar performance all-season long.
Rookie and MVP frontrunner Clint Escamis along with veterans Warren Bonifacio and Paolo Hernandez will be at the forefront of the mission to win it all not just for their schools but also to honor head coach Randy Alcantara
“This season, I’ll do my best na makuha (championship), ang tagal na rin nagaasam na makuha eh, lalo si coach Randy na ang tagal na sa Mapua, so with Clint and Boni and all rookies, we will be all out this coming finals and will try to get this championship,” declared Hernandez.
“Lalo kaming nag-push at lalo kaming nagtiwala at dumisiplina do’n sa depensa namin, team effort, teamwork and trust, na sana madala namin hanggang finals,” added Alcantara who was still a player for Mapua when it last won the title in 1991.
Game Two is set Sunday also in MOA while a decider, if necessary, is Dec. 17 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
If Mapua prevails in the title series, Alcantara will become one of the rare few to win an NCAA title as a player and coach of the same school.
“Game One lang muna ang focus namin,” said Alcantara. “Depensa pa rin, dun kami kumukha ng lakas from the start.”
