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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider Basketball devider All-out war as Pirates, Red Lions clash for last Finals ticket

All-out war as Pirates, Red Lions clash for last Finals ticket

Published Nov 30, 2023 07:28 am

At A Glance

  • It will be an all-out war between Lyceum and San Beda as they battle one last time for the coveted last Finals spot in the semifinals of the NCAA Season 99 men's basketball tournament on Friday, Dec. 1, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao, Quezon City.

It will be an all-out war between Lyceum and San Beda as they battle one last time for the coveted last Finals spot in the semifinals of the NCAA Season 99 men’s basketball tournament on Friday, Dec. 1, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao, Quezon City.

Jomel Puno.jpg
San Beda Red Lions' Jomel Puno drives to the basket against the Lyceum Pirates' defenders. (Inah Sabido)

The Red Lions asserted their mastery over the Pirates and extending their matchup winning streak to five following an 89-68 win in Game 1 of the semis, which also pushed the series to a sudden death duel at 3 p.m. – with the winner getting the right to challenge top seed Mapua in the Finals.

Although history seems to be on the side of San Beda, head coach Yuri Escueta is refusing to be complacent as he preached the Red Lions to keep their focus on the task at hand.

"It's just, we have to focus on that game, 'di ba? Nagawa man ng Beda before 'yun, well sabi ko nga sa boys ko, let's stay in the present," Escueta added.

"I know we wanna win a championship, but we have to win two more games first before we get there. Sana magdilang anghel ka at maulit namin 'yon, which won't be easy next game so we have to be ready." he added.

After putting up a splendid performance over the Pirates with a career-high of 28 points in Game 1 at the Mall of Asia Arena, the son of PBA great Mike Cortez said he doesn’t feel any pressure heading into the all-important Game 2.

“No, no pressure at all, just have fun and play the game [right],” Cortez said.

Aside from Cortez, San Beda has Nygel Gonzales and James Payosing stepping up in the scoring area while Yukien Andrada and Jomel Puno are doing the right things for them on the defensive end.

The Gilbert Malabanan-mentored squad will still rely on its skipper Enoch Valdez, Mclaude Guadana and Vince Cunanan to run the offense with Shawn Umali as they try to close out the series in Game 2.

Interestingly, the last time Lyceum was in the championship round was also against San Beda, when the CJ Perez-led Pirates fell to the Robert Bolick-led Red Lions who went on to complete three-peat from 2016 to 2018.

Related Tags

San Beda Red Lions Lyceum Pirates NCAA Season 99
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