BY MARK REY MONTEJO
James Payosing delivered when it mattered most, making him very much deserving to become the NCAA Finals Most Valuable Player according to San Beda head coach Yuri Escueta.
The Red Lions mentor showered praises to his heady guard after playing a pivotal role in San Beda’s 76-66 conquest of Mapua to bring the NCAA Season 99 title back to Mendiola before a huge crowd at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Sunday, Dec. 17.
“Knowing him, si James (Payosing) of course yung humility nya it’s iba sa mga haligi sa teammates nya, of course si Jacob (Cortez) lagi nyang kasama ‘yon eh,” Escueta said.
“I’m sure di naman masyadong ineexpect ‘yan. But I think he’s deserving also, he stepped up during the fourth quarter when some of the guys were down because of cramps, so probably that’s our turn alam nyo naman ‘yon diba,” he added.
Not a few had San Beda main man Jacob Cortez in their mind as the best player in the three-game finals affair but Payosing also made sure to prove his worth with an impressive Game 3 performance.
He backstopped the hot-shooting Yukien Andrada with 11 points along with 14 rebounds, including the huge offensive rebound and a putback which served as a dagger to the chest of the Cardinals with under three minutes remaining in the contest.
His stellar showing couldn’t come at a more perfect time especially with Cortez having a rough night.
The 6-foot-2 cager from Bislig City, Surigao del Sur, averaged 9.6 points and 12 rebounds in three-game series.
“Diko inexpect na ako makakatanggap kasi ang main man nami si Jacob (Cortez), at ako nasa likod nya lang,” humbly said Payosing.
Escueta, also an awardee of the Coach of the Year plum, tipped his hat to his players who stuck together and trusted him throughout their journey this season.
“Personally, I’m happy at the same time I’m very happy for my players. These are the guys who stayed and they said to themselves ‘This is us’, we’re gonna work hard for this, diba?”
