MANILA, Philippines – And then there were four.
After 90 high-octane games in the elimination round, the historic 100th season of the NCAA men’s basketball tournament enters its homestretch as the Mapua Cardinals, the College of St. Benilde Blazers, the San Beda Red Lions, and the Lyceum Pirates slug it out in the Final Four on Saturday, November 23, at the Cuneta Astrodome.
Fueled by last season’s finals heartbreak, Mapua heads into the semifinals as the No. 1 seed and will enjoy twice-to-beat advantage against fourth-seeded LPU, while second-ranked CSB also goes into the Final Four armed with a twice-to-beat bonus versus defending champion San Beda, which finished third at the end of the eliminations.
No. 1 Mapua (15-3) vs No. 4 Lyceum (10-8)
If their second round encounter is any indication, Mapua and LPU are in for a dogfight in the Final Four.
In their most recent matchup last October 29, the Cardinals eked out a nail-biting 69-68 escape over the Pirates, thanks to a game-winning triple by Lawrence Mangubat with 3.9 seconds left.
In that match, Mangubat torched LPU with 16 points built on four treys as Mapua overcame a game-high 22-point performance by Pirates captain Renz Villegas.
It was a huge bounce-back win for Mapua after suffering a 15-point beating at the hands of LPU in their first-round duel last September 24, 96-81, where high-scoring guard John Barba went off for 25 points for the Pirates.
After splitting their season series, expect a thrilling, nip-and-tuck battle between Mapua and LPU in their 11 am clash on Saturday as they both put their respective winning streaks on the line.
Look for the Cardinals’ usual suspects Clint Escamis, Cyrus Cuenco, and rookie Chris Hubilla to take charge as they shoot for a quick return trip to the finals.
Escamis, the NCAA Season 99 MVP, has yet to explode against LPU this season as he was held to only 11.5 points on a lowly 6-of-25 shooting by the Pirates’ stifling defense in their two matches.
On the other side, count on reigning NCAA Player of the Week Barba to leave it all on the floor for the Pirates as they look to force a do-or-die Game 2 on Wednesday, November 27.
Led by Barba’s stellar play, the Pirates are entering the semifinals on a fiery four-game winning run, including a crucial 82-81 win over the Blazers in their last game of the elimination round to secure the fourth and final playoff spot.
The fourth-year guard Barba was on a mission in that contest, sizzling for 27 points on a perfect 9-of-9 field goal clip.
Also look for Villegas and JM Bravo — who recently returned to the lineup after a scary on-court collapse — to back up Barba as the Pirates aim to extinguish the nine-game winning streak of the Cardinals, who swept the entire second round.
Bravo was also instrumental in LPU’s escape of CSB last November 15 as he flirted with a double-double of 12 points and 8 rebounds.
No. 2 CSB (14-4) vs No. 3 San Beda (10-8)
Unlike Mapua and LPU, both CSB and San Beda step foot into their 2:30 pm Final Four showdown on Saturday coming off stinging losses.
The Blazers bowed to the Pirates in their final assignment of the eliminations, while the Red Lions wrapped up the second round on a three-game losing skid, with their most recent setback coming at the hands of the also-ran San Sebastian Stags.
Also in contrast to the Cardinals and the Pirates — who were 1-1 in their season series — the Blazers swept the Red Lions in their elimination-round encounters.
CSB hacked out a 70-65 overtime win against San Beda in their first-round matchup back in September 10, followed by a 70-62 victory in their second-round face-off last November 13.
It was spitfire guard Jhomel Ancheta who proved to be a thorn in the side of the Red Lions as he topscored for the Blazers in both outings with 14 and 18 points, respectively, highlighted by clutch baskets down the stretch.
Despite having San Beda’s number this season, CSB should be wary of the Red Lions as the latter overcame a twice-to-beat disadvantage in the Final Four last season en route to capturing their 23rd title.
All eyes will be on top MVP candidate Allen Liwag as he tries to carry CSB back to the league’s biggest stage after the Blazers last entered it in Season 98.
Liwag was a double-double machine for CSB in the elimination round, averaging 14.6 points and 11.2 rebounds in 18 games played.
Also keep an eye on ex-San Beda standouts Tony Ynot, Justine Sanchez, and Gab Cometa, who will all look to put on a show against their former team in front of a hostile Red Lions crowd.
Meanwhile, Yukien Andrada, Jomel Puno, as well as Season 99 Finals MVP James Payosing are expected to show the way for the Red Lions as they hope to live another day in Season 100 and drag the Blazers to a rubber match.
– Rappler.com