San Beda Red Lions against Mapua Cardinals in NCAA Season 100.–NCAA PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines—Defending champion San Beda turned to its defense to continue its mastery over Mapua on Tuesday.
The Red Lions made it three in a row against the Cardinals dating back to last season’s finals.
“Of course, every time we play Mapua, there’s Escamis and Cuenco. They don’t give up so I have to give it to my boys for playing defense,” said San Beda coach Yuri Escueta in Filipino after his team’s 76-69 overtime win to end the first round of the NCAA Season 100 men’s basketball tournament.
NCAA 100: San Beda beats Mapua in OT for third straight win
“I was telling my players what to expect so they’d be prepared mentally before the game. Against Mapua, you have to be tough, mentally smart and strong with the ball every time. [You] can’t be soft.”
Clint Escamis, who gave the Red Lions all sorts of headaches last season, turned in 19 points with five rebounds but shot just 7-of-19 from the field. Marc Cuenco topscored for Mapua with 20 points on 7-of-14 shooting.
“We might be struggling offensively, we may have lost games but throughout the first round, the only thing that saved us was our defense,” said Escueta.
Escueta’s wards went on offensive tears of their own. San Beda mainstay Yukien Andrada nearly had a double-double with 18 points and seven rebounds.
The duo of James Payosing and rookie Bryan Sajonia also boosted the Lions with 15 and 10 points, respectively.
READ: NCAA: Rivals San Beda, Letran post contrasting wins
The reigning MVP, Escamis, certainly felt San Beda’s more assertive defense on him, especially in the latter part of one of the first round’s final games.
“Of course the pressure was there. Then again, the pressure should’ve been on them because we’re the challengers. We just played like there’s no tomorrow,” said Escamis.
“We did that for four quarters and in overtime but it just wasn’t enough,” he added.
Mapua and San Beda are now in a three-way tie with Letran for the second seed with identical 6-3 cards. College of St. Benilde remains on top a 7-2 card heading into the second round.