AFTER getting a lifeline, San Beda University is raring to complete a stunning ouster of Mapua University.
Whether the Red Lions achieve their goal will be known when they tackle the Cardinals anew today in their Final Four battle for the last finals slot in the 97th NCAA basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan.
The do-or-die match is set at 3 p.m., with the winner advancing to the Big Dance opposite defending champion Letran.
Game 1 of the best-of-three titular duel will be on Sunday at the same venue.
No. 3 San Beda negated second-ranked Mapua’s twice-to-beat advantage after scoring a 73-67 overtime victory last Sunday.
Lions coach Boyet Fernandez praised his wards’ grit that kept alive their hopes of a 15th straight finals stint.
“We haven’t won anything, we just tied it. It gave us another chance to live and really thank my players for stepping up,” Fernandez said.
“Even though we’re down, they never give up and that’s really what the character we want. As I’ve always said to my players, we just have to tie it,” he added.
Heading into the knockout tiff, Fernandez remained wary of the Cards’ outside shooting and their attack led by their starters.
“We all know that Mapua is the number one team in three points, and they are really the number one team whose starters make the most points,” he said. “Pasalamat lang ako at na-miss ng Mapua iyong mga three points nila.”
James Kwekuteye, Ralph Penuela, JB Bahio, Jacob Cortez, JV Gallego, Tony Ynot, and Rhayyan Amsali will be counted upon by San Beda, which is eyeing to redeem itself from a heartbreaking finals loss to the Knights in the last cage wars in 2019.
