Jacob Cortez admits receiving offers from other schools after San Beda title
San Beda Red Lions’ Jacob Cortez. –NCAA PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines—San Beda can celebrate its sweet, sweet victory tonight after winning the NCAA Season 99 men’s basketball championship but the following days may bring the Red Lions some stress.
For one, Jacob Cortez–who has been phenomenal for the Red Lions in the tail-end of the season–wasn’t exactly so clear about his future in San Beda.
During Game 3 of the Finals, rumors started swirling that Cortez could change his route next year—specifically, to UAAP champion La Salle.
James Payosing wins ‘unexpected’ NCAA Finals MVP
NCAA Finals MVP James Payosing of San Beda Red Lions. –NCAA PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines—From primarily being known as just a defender, James Payosing proved his worth for San Beda at the most opportune time.
Payosing notched a double-double in the process with 11 points and 14 rebounds in Game 3 of the NCAA Season 99 Finals as the Red Lions trounced Mapua, 76-66, and reclaimed their throne in men’s basketball
His stellar play in the most important part of the season earned him an “unexpected” Finals MVP plum.
Video: San Beda coach Yuri Escueta and NCAA Finals MVP James Payosing after winning the chip
San Beda beats Mapua to reclaim NCAA basketball championship
San Beda Red Lions are the NCAA men’s basketball kings once more. –NCAA PHOTO
Smelling blood from their wounded rivals, the San Beda Red Lions went for the kill, dealing the final blow on the Mapua Cardinals, 76-66, to reclaim the NCAA men’s basketball title on Sunday.
Yukien Andrada delivered the biggest Mapua heartbreak in the final period, pouring most of his game-high 20 points in that pivotal stretch as the Lions completed the mission witnessed by a sea of 23,077 screaming fans at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Running a consistent performance throughout the series, James Payosing went to work one last time and ensured the victory—San Beda’s 23rd NCAA crown overall—with his last-minute heroics to seize the Finals MVP trophy.
San Beda’s James Payosing is named Finals MVP
And the #NCAASeason99 Finals MVP is… James Payosing! @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/5RXaShVrCl
— Rommel Fuertes Jr. (@MeloFuertesINQ) December 17, 2023
Mapua Cardinals suffer heartbreak with failed title bid
Red Lions celebrate 23rd NCAA championship
SCENES. ABSOLUTE SCENES.
WATCH: San Beda and the Red sea celebrate at the buzzer. #NCAASeason99 @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/TiqYcTwKtb
— Rommel Fuertes Jr. (@MeloFuertesINQ) December 17, 2023
San Beda Red Lions are NCAA Season 99 champions
BACK ON TOP.
The San Beda Red Lions best the Mapua Cardinals in their best-of-three title series to clinch the #NCAASeason99 men's basketball championship! pic.twitter.com/ALL3dwxRyT
— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) December 17, 2023
San Beda takes the lead with 5 minutes to go in Game 3
TOO SMALL 🤏🤏
WATCH: Jacob Cortez gives San Beda a 68-61 lead with five minutes to go in the game… with a “too small” celebration to match. #NCAASeason99 | @MeloFuertesINQ pic.twitter.com/q5KaTW8wHQ
— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) December 17, 2023
Gate attendance for NCAA Finals Game 3
23,077 is the official gate attendance for Game 3 of the #NCAASeason99 Finals. @INQUIRERSports
— Rommel Fuertes Jr. (@MeloFuertesINQ) December 17, 2023
NCAA Finals Game 3: Score Mapua vs San Beda
TEN MINUTES LEFT.
At the end of three quarters, Mapua leads San Beda, 57-53.
One more quarter to determine the new kings of #NCAASeason99. @INQUIRERSports
— Rommel Fuertes Jr. (@MeloFuertesINQ) December 17, 2023
The heat of battle is showing up.
Jacob Cortez falls down with an apparent cramp and is helped on the bench by his teammates. Score’s tied at 48-all with 4:21 to go in the third. #NCAASeason99 | @MeloFuertesINQ pic.twitter.com/GNRyQHketG
— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) December 17, 2023
AT THE HALF:
No let up from both teams after two quarters but it’s San Beda holding a slim 36-35 lead over Mapua at the intermission. #NCAASeason99 @INQUIRERSports
— Rommel Fuertes Jr. (@MeloFuertesINQ) December 17, 2023
END OF FIRST:
San Beda holds a 24-15 lead over Mapua to start Game 3. #NCAASeason99 @INQUIRERSports
— Rommel Fuertes Jr. (@MeloFuertesINQ) December 17, 2023
PVL last night, NCAA today… the Big Dome is surely not running out of energy this weekend. ⚡️⚡️⚡️
San Beda leads Mapua, 17-9, with 2:54 to go in the opening quarter. #NCAASeason99 @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/5vAPUvNRz1
— Rommel Fuertes Jr. (@MeloFuertesINQ) December 17, 2023
NCAA Finals Game 3: Pre-game warm-ups
It’s no tomorrow time… and San Beda knows it.
The Red Lions warm up before their do-or-die affair with the Cardinals. #NCAASeason99 | @MeloFuertesINQ pic.twitter.com/hlw2bScgnI
— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) December 17, 2023
NCAA Finals Game 3 Schedule (December 17)
Smart Araneta Coliseum
2 p.m. San Beda Red Lions vs Mapua Cardinals
Mapua Cardinals eye end to three-decade wait for NCAA crown
It’s going to be anybody’s ballgame come Sunday when San Beda (in white) and Mapua play for all the marbles. —AUGUST DELA CRUZ
It’s Mapua vs San Beda. It’s for all the marbles. And it boils down to this one game.
The Cardinals know exactly what to expect.
“This will be another fierce battle,’’ said Mapua captain Warren Bonifacio.
But the Lions, too, aren’t ignorant of the challenge they are headed into.
NCAA Finals: Clint Escamis eyes bounce back in Game 3 after ‘off night’
Clint Escamis.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines—Clint Escamis vowed to atone for the bad shooting of Mapua in a loss to San Beda in Game 2 of the NCAA Season 99 men’s basketball Finals on Sunday.
Not long after being hailed Rookie of the Year and MVP, Escamis was far from his usual self as the Cardinals blew a golden opportunity to end their 32-year championship drought following a 71-65 defeat.