Out to gain big head start

- Advertisement -

BY ABBY TORALBA

BOTH Mapua University and San Beda University are bent on ending their respective title droughts–the Cardinals have not won a crown since 1991, while Red Lions had tasted cage glory not too long ago in 2018, but are equally determine reign anew, considering their rich winning tradition.

Mapua and San Beda try to move within a victory of reaching the Promised Land when they clash today in Game 1 of their best-of-3 finals battle for the 99th NCAA basketball tournament title at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.

- Advertisement -

The match is set at 2 p.m., with the combatants aching to gain a crucial 1-0 edge in the race-to-2 series.

Game 2 is set Sunday at the same venue while a decider, if necessary, will be played on Dec. 17 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The Cards finished with a 15-3 card after the eliminations for the No. 1 seed in the Final Four.

Mapua made short work of last season’s bridesmaid College of St. Benilde 87-77 Tuesday last week to advance to the Big Dance.

The Intramuros-based crew lost to Letran in the finals last year and struggled with a 7-11 finish last season.

Cards coach Randy Alcantara emphasized the contributions of MVP frontrunner Escamis since he returned to Mapua. The rookie guard played a year with University of the East in the UAAP and then moved to Mapua, his high school alma mater.

“Sabi ko nga nag-usap nga kami ni Clint, kung babalik siya, kailangan may mission kami at may mission din siya. May goal kami, kasi para hindi lang bumalik sa Mapua at makalaro,” Alcantara said. “So, iyon nga, nakita naman natin na nabago iyong ano ng team namin.

“Iyong energy mas lalong tumaas, iyong game changer, at dumami iyong leader, hindi naman ano sa scoring pero iyong leadership, makikita mo sa kanila,” he added.

Aside from Escamis, Paolo Hernandez will also be counted upon by the Cards anew.

“Game 1 lang muna ang focus namin. Depensa pa rin, doon kami kumukha ng lakas from the start,” Alcantara said.

Tactician Yuri Escueta’s San Beda five finished with a 12-6 record at the end of the elims for the third seed.

San Beda stunned No. 2 and twice-to-beat Lyceum in their semifinals battle capped by an 82-72 triumph in Game 2 last Friday.

“We have to prepare. Sabi nga, hindi namin sila natalo in the first and second round (eliminations). Their talent is really ibang klase. Their shot-making abilities, that’s something we should be ready for,” Escueta said.

“It’s not gonna be easy but every time you wear that San Beda jersey, you represent and you win that championship for everyone, ‘di ba? So, paghahandaan namin and pag-aaralan.”

The Lions will pin their hopes on James Payosing, Jomel Puno, Jacob Cortez, Yukien Andrada and Nygel Gonzales.

Author

- Advertisement -

Share post: