Today, Sunday, marks an exciting day for basketball fans as San Beda and Mapua face off in Game 3 of the NCAA seniors basketball finals. The championship title for Season 99 is at stake, and the game will take place at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Both teams are no strangers to this situation, as they previously clashed in the finals 32 years ago. The anticipation is high, especially after a crowd of 22,465 fans attended Game 2 at the Mall of Asia Arena last Sunday.
San Beda enters the decider with momentum on their side, following their 71-65 victory in Game 2. This win was significant for the Red Lions, as it was their first victory against the Cardinals this season after two failed attempts. Jacob Cortez played a crucial role in the win, scoring 21 points, including two crucial three-pointers in the final minutes of the game.
Coach Yuri Escueta highlighted the importance of Game 2 for San Beda. Not only did it keep their championship hopes alive, but it also instilled a belief in the team that they can defeat the Cardinals. Escueta acknowledged that the Cardinals, led by coach Randy Alcantara, will make adjustments for Game 3, making it imperative for San Beda to be prepared.
One area of concern for the Red Lions is their free throw shooting. In Game 2, they missed half of their 34 free throws, including some crucial shots during crunch time. Escueta expressed confidence that his players will perform better in this aspect of the game in Game 3.
On the other side, Mapua, the top seed, aims to bounce back and claim the championship after 32 years of waiting. Season MVP Clint Escamis, who previously left Mapua to pursue a UAAP career with the University of the East, is determined to lead the Cardinals to victory. In Game 2, Escamis struggled with his shooting, making only 4 of his 21 attempts.
Source: The Manila Times
