San Beda displayed its veteran poise and fully disarmed Lyceum's twice-to-beat advantage after coming away with an 82-72 win to advance to the Finals of the NCAA Season 99 men’s basketball tournament at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao, Quezon City on Friday, Dec. 1.

The Lions buried nine triples in the final half including seven in the third quarter that built them enough cushion to weather a furious fourth quarter surge by the Pirates.

James Payosing topscored with 18 points while Jomel Puno poured in eight of his 15 points in the final period for San Beda, which will now tackle Mapua in the best-of-three championship series that starts on Dec. 6 at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Puno and Payosing also put up 10 rebounds each for the Mendiola-based squad while Nygel Gonzales and Yukien Andrada listed 11 and 10 points, respectively.

Yuri Escueta heaped Gonzales’ timely support when Lyceum’s defense was focused on Jacob Cortez, making big plays down the stretch to keep them ahead especially in the fourth frame.

“Si Nygel ‘yung big game no’ng dumidikit sila, they were zoning and staying on Jacob Cortez. Luckily, they left some guys open and those guys were ready to shoot," said Escueta.

Lyceum actually cut the deficit to three, 51-54, going into the final frame, but San Beda went hot from the distance, thanks to the lethal blows from Gonzales and Cortez.

It was a heartbreaking ending for the Pirates, who came into the semis with a twice-to-beat edge after finishing at No. 2 after the elimination round but blew it away after being twice beaten by the fearsome Lions.

Lyceum, though, will have a chance to salvage some measure of pride as it guns for third place against College of St. Benilde on Dec. 10.

It’s the first time in league history that the one-game battle for third will be instituted.

Enoch Valdez put up 28 points for the Pirates, while John Bravo added 16 points in losing efforts.

The scores:

San Beda 82 - Payosing 18, Puno 15, Gonzales 11, Andrada 10, Cuntapay 9, Cortez 7, Jopia 6, Tagle 3, Visser 3, Alfaro 0

LPU 72 - Valdez 28, Bravo 16, Guadana 8, Barba 7, Cunanan 6, Villegas 4, Omandac 3, Montano 0, Umali 0, Penafiel 0

Quarterscores: 26-17; 41-38; 66-56; 82-72