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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider Basketball devider Red Lions overcome all odds to reign supreme in NCAA Season 99

Red Lions overcome all odds to reign supreme in NCAA Season 99

Published Dec 29, 2023 07:33 am

At A Glance

  • Faced by tall odds and touted as underdogs, the Red Lions bared their fangs and displayed their fighting spirit en route to capturing this year's title.

Unpredictability became the name of the game as far as the NCAA Season 99 men’s basketball was concerned.

RAW_17122023_NCAA GAME 3_14 BALMORES.jpg
The San Beda Red Lions reign supreme once again in the NCAA basketball tournament. (Mark Balmores)

But more than that, it also showed how far a team’s never-say-die attitude could go -- evident in San Beda’s road to redemption.

Faced by tall odds and touted as underdogs, the Red Lions bared their fangs and displayed their fighting spirit en route to capturing this year’s title.

It was the team’s first title since last winning it in the 2017-2018 season, and the school’s 23rd crown overall -- the most titles won in league history.

With the guidance of head tactician Yuri Escueta along with notable coaches in Boyet Fernandez and Norman Black, San Beda turned things around and shutted down all of its doubters, thanks to splendid efforts from Jacob Cortez, Yukien Andrada, Cliff Jopia, Jomel Puno and James Payosing, who was cited as the Finals MVP.

Escueta expressed the strong connection and motivation of his team which for him stood out among the rest.

“Not to be arrogant, but in our circle we know our capabilities and have each other’s back,” Escueta said.

“Sanay na sila sa adversity early in the season, it's something we were able to bring into this run of us,” he added.

Before the crown went to Mendiola, the squads from Intramuros were making waves in the opening month of the season – shockingly it wasn’t Letran – but the shiver came from Mapua and Lyceum, who both made their Final Four appearances.

The reigning champion Knights were eliminated early in the tournament while the bridesmaid Blazers bowed out by the Cardinals in the semifinals. The Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals and the University of Perpetual Help Altas also made some noise but came short for playoffs.

Undoubtedly, the Red Lions draw motivation from their disappointing games and frustrate the twice-to-beat holder Pirates in the semis, enough boost for them as they go for all for the marbles against Mapua.

San Beda lost in Game 1 of their best-of-three finals series with the Mapua Cardinals, 68-63, but came back smoking in Game 2, 71-65, before clinching the title with a 76-66 Game 3 win.

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