NCAA: Mapua ousts San Beda to earn finals showdown vs Letran

Mapua vs San Beda in the NCAA Season 97 final four. NCAA/GMA PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines–Mapua armed itself with sheer courage and tenacity to outlast San Beda, 70-67, on Wednesday and arrange a title showdown with defending champion Letran in the NCAA Season 97 men’s basketball Finals.

Arvin Gamboa drove into the teeth of San Beda’s defense and Toby Agustin swished the most important pair of free throws in his career that sealed the Cardinals’ date with history after letting their Final Four matchup stretch to the limit.

The Red Lions had a chance to force the decider into another overtime after wiping out Mapua’s twice-to-beat edge, but James Kwekuteye’s desperation three came up short at the buzzer.

Mapua coach Randy Alcantara and the Cardinals’ bench erupted in glee, hugging each other at center court in celebration of their return to the finals after 31 seasons without a title. Alcantara was part of Mapua’s back-to-back championship squad in 1990-1991.

The best-of-three championship series opener between the Knights and the Cardinals is scheduled Sunday at Filoil Flying V Centre.

Gamboa led the Cardinals with 13 points and 10 rebounds, Brian Lacap also contributed 13 while Paolo Hernandez added 11, including a decisive three that capped Mapua’s rally from seven points down to reverse the trend.

Yukien Andrada fired four threes and topscored with a career-high 19 points and JB Bahio had nine points and 15 boards for the Red Lions, who came up short of forging a championship rematch with the Knights.

The Scores

MAPUA 70—Gamboa 13, Lacap 13, Hernandez 11, Bonifacio 8, Nocum 7, Pido 6, Agustin 6, Mercado 6, Salenga 0, Garcia 0.

SAN BEDA 67—Andrada 19, Kwekuteye 11, Alfaro 11, Bahio 9, Penuela 5, Abuda 3, Cuntapay 2, Cortez 2, Jopia 2, Amsali 2, Ynot 1, Sanchez 0.

Quarters: 9-all, 27-24, 48-49, 70-67