San Beda head coach Yuri Escueta heaped praises for main man Jacob Cortez and the Red Lions’ fighting spirit after surviving another do-or-die game that kept their title hopes alive in the NCAA Season 99 Finals.

Not only that San Beda managed to force a winner-take-all Game 3 but the win also came sweeter especially against Mapua which had the Red Lions number so far in the three games that they played. 

“Very special, if there’s one thing we now know and our players can believe in is we can beat them, but it wasn’t easy knowing coach Randy (Alcantara),” said Escueta.

The Cardinals have swept their elimination schedule against the Red Lions before drawing first blood in the Finals series with a commanding Game 1 win.

It was, however, an entirely different story in Game 2 as the Mendiola-based squad spoiled the big day for Clint Escamis who was hailed as the Most Valuable Player and Rookie of the Year before the contest.

The Red Lions also spoiled the Cardinals’ bid of ending a 32-year title drought before a huge 22,465 crowd at Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City on Sunday, Dec. 10.

With its back against the wall, San Beda found a hero in the King Lion Cortez who led San Beda’s offensive flurry in the final frame after hitting two dagger triples and a clutch assist on Yukien Andrada’s booming trey that sealed the win.

"That kid is special, he doesn’t want to lose, he told the start of the ball game,” Escueta said of his star guard.

Still, the Red Lions are not to be complacent heading into the Game 3 as they expect a huge fightback from the Cardinals.

“Magaadjust sila so we have to be ready for that also, but this is a big win for us against Mapua,” he added.