By ADRIAN STEWART CO
The San Beda University Red Lions banked on a late run to defeat the Mapua University Cardinals, 71-65, in Game 2 of the NCAA Season 99 men’s basketball tournament finals at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City on Sunday, December 10.
Down 56-61 with over six minutes left in the fourth quarter, the Red Lions went on an 11-0 run behind two triples by Jacob Cortez, a three-point play by Jomel Puno and an inside hit by James Payosing for a 64-61 lead.
More conversions from Cortez and Yukien Andrada widened the Red Lions’ lead to 70-63 before the Cardinals cut it to 65-70 on an inside conversion by rookie JC Recto.
The Cardinals had several opportunities to cut the deficit, but they misfired their three-point attempts before the Red Lions put the game from within reach via a split free throw by Aaron Royo.
Cortez finished with 21 points and nine rebounds to lead the way for the Red Lions, which bounced back from their 68-63 loss to the Cardinals in Game 1 to tie the best-of-three title series at 1-1.
Puno and Andrada chipped in nine markers apiece, while Clifford Jopia hauled 11 rebounds to go with eight points for San Beda, which forced a do-or-die Game 3 against Mapua on December 17.
The Red Lions opened the match with eight straight points from Cortez and Andrada, but the Cardinals retaliated with their own run to take a slim 22-20 advantage.
However, San Beda caught fire in the second quarter courtesy of outside connections from Cortez as they established a 42-30 advantage heading into the halftime break.
Mapua went on a huge third quarter where they outscored San Beda, 23-6, en route to taking a 61-56 lead midway through the final quarter via a three-pointer from Ryle Rosillo.
Clint Escamis finished with 15 points and nine rebounds. Recto added a double-double of 14 points and 15 rebounds, while Paolo Hernandez and Jopet Soriano ended with 13 and 10, respectively, for the Cardinals.
SAN BEDA 71 — Cortez 21, Puno 9, Andrada 9, Jopia 8, Alfaro 7, Royo 6, Cuntapay 5, Payosing 4, Tagle 2, Gonzales 0, Visser 0.
MAPUA 65 — Escamis 15, Recto 14, Hernandez 13, Soriano 10, Cuenco 5, Rosillo 5, Bonifacio 3, Asuncion 0, Dalisay 0, Bancale 0.
Quarterscores: 20-19, 42-30, 48-53, 71-65./ASC, WDJ