Despite a ban on foreign student athletes (FSA), it did not take long for San Beda University to enter the promised land of NCAA seniors’ basketball, trouncing Lyceum of the Philippines University (LPU), 82-72, in the their Final Four rubbermatch Friday at the Araneta Coliseum.
The Red Lions stayed alive with their sizzling three-point shooting, capped by a 12-0 run in the latter point of the third quarter off two triples from stretch 4 Damie Cuntapay and two more from fellow stretch 4 Yukien Andrada and King Lion Jacob Cortez to break the 51-51 tie.
With that, the Red Lions led for good as the Pirates were content at just trading baskets, ultimately conceding their twice-to-beat edge.
“It’s the players, man. They want to win this game,” said San Beda coach Yuri Escueta. “If you’re playing LPU, effort, hindi pwedeng magpatalo.”
Cortez’s backcourt sidekick James Payosing led the Red Lions with 18 points, 14 of which were scored in the first quarter, on top of 10 rebounds.
“Di pa tapos, uhaw pa kami, dalawang panalo na lang makukuha namin ang saya. Pero ngayon, wala pa,” the sophomore commented, making up for Cortez’s off day, who only scored seven points.
Center Jomel Puno also notched a double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds while Nygel Gonzales, Andrade, and Cuntapay combined for 30 points, which included eight triples.
“This may be Jacob’s team, but basketball is a team game, so I give credit to the other players for stepping up. San Beda Red Lions nga kami, hindi Jacob Cortez,” Escueta added, referring to San Beda’s top scorer.
Graduating forward Enoch Valdez led the number two Pirates with 28 points while John Bravo added 16 points and 11 boards.
The Red Lions, finalists from 2006 to 2019 and winning 11 crowns in that stretch, have missed the finals of the first two season since the league ban on foreigners.
The team is known for its hulking FSAs that include the likes of Ola Adeogun, Sam Ekwe, Donald Tankoua, and the late Sudan Daniel.
It was also the first time a number three team overcame a twice-to-win disadvantage against a number two team since 2012, when the Kevin Alas-led Letran upset Ian Sangalang-led San Sebastian.
They will meet top team Mapua Cardinals in Game One of the Season 99 Finals on Tuesday, who are in their second finals after the return from the COVID-19 pandemic.
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