San Beda University kept its hunt for a twice-to-beat Final Four incentive alive after holding off Mapua University, 86-75, in their playoff clash in the NCAA Season 98 juniors’ basketball tournament on Monday, February 27.

The defending champion will next meet College of Saint Benilde-La Salle Green Hills in another playoff encounter to determine which team will book the last twice-to-beat ticket as the no. 2 seed alongside top seed Colegio de San Juan de Letran.

On the other hand, Mapua cemented its seat in the fourth spot ahead of the Final Four stage where it will face the league-leading Squires.

Tied at 34 at the half, San Beda turned things around in the third period, racing to a 15-point lead with Nicko Lorenzo, Chris Hubilla and John Lopez igniting from the field as the Red Cubs built a 57-42 lead.

San Beda outscored Mapua in that frame, 25 to 11, as they headed to the fourth, holding on to a 59-45 cushion.

The Red Cubs, who ruled the Season 95 edition against Lyceum of the Philippines University, further widened the gap in the fourth with Gab Ludovice sinking a triple that sent them to a 68-49 advantage halfway through.

A Lopez jumper made it a 73-51 affair before Mapua put up a late fightback, trimming its deficit to just 11 with a putback basket from Nygel Gonzales, 79-68, with 2:25 left.

The Red Robins made it 84-75 after a Nicolo Mulingtapang and one bucket, but Andrei Dungo soared high for a layup to set the punctuation for the Red Cubs, 86-75.

Hubilla led San Beda with 22 points, nine rebounds, four steals, and two assists, while Dungo finished with 16 markers, eight boards, five dimes, two steals, and two blocks.

Mundas had nine points and 10 rebounds as Lopez scored 11 points and two boards. (GMA News)