MANILA – San Beda University Red Lions completed its conquest on the higher-ranked Lyceum of the Philippines Pirates with an 82-72 victory in their do-or-die Final Four game in the NCAA Season 99 men’s basketball tournament on Friday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
James Payosing led the way with 18 points, with 14 coming in the first half, to go with 10 rebounds while rookie Jomel Puno added a double-double of 14 points and 10 rebounds for the Red Lions.
Nygel Gonzales chipped in 11 points, while Yukien Andrada ended with 10 markers for San Beda, which survived the woeful nine-point (2-of-8 shooting) performance of star Jacob Cortez.
San Beda will next face the no. 1 ranked Mapua University Cardinals in a best-of-three championship beginning on Wednesday, December 6, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
The Cardinals reached the championship round for the second time in the last three seasons after eliminating College of St. Benilde Blazers last Tuesday.
The Red Lions, which reached the NCAA Finals for the first time since 2019, will be aiming for its 22nd NCAA men’s basketball championship, first since the 2018 season.
“At the start of the season ‘yun naman ang goal namin which is to win the championship, so we’re one step closer,” said Red Lions head coach Yuri Escueta.
With the score tied at 51-all midway in the third quarter, the Red Lions created separation from the Pirates with a 12-0 scoring blast to establish a 63-51 lead.
The Pirates attempted to come back in the final quarter behind Enoch Valdez, but the Red Lions shut the door on them with timely conversions from Cortez and Puno.
Valdez ended his collegiate career with 28 points and seven rebounds, while John Bravo added a double-double of 16 points and 11 rebounds for the Pirates, which was ousted despite having a twice-to-beat advantage./PN
BOX SCORE:
SAN BEDA 82 – Payosing 18, Puno 15, Gonzales 11, Andrada 10, Cuntapay 9, Cortez 7, Jopia 6, Tagle 3, Visser 3, Alfaro 0.
LYCEUM 72 – Valdez 28, Bravo 16, Guadana 8, Barba 7, Cunanan 6, Villegas 4, Omandac 3, Montano 0, Umali 0, Panefiel 0.
Quarterscores: 26-17, 41-38, 66-56, 82-72.
