By Peter Atencio
A barrage of nine triples in the second half lifted the San Beda Red Lions past the Lyceum Pirates, 82-72, and into their first finals appearance in four seasons Friday in the 99th National Collegiate Athletic Association men’s basketball tournament.
The Red Lions, led by James Payosing with 18 points and 10 rebounds, hurdled the second seeded Pirates in their second Final Four clash at the Araneta Coliseum.
Payosing’s performance was beyond his average of 6.89 points and close to his season high of 20 points for the Mendiola dribblers, who have stretched their winning run to six since the eliminations.
The Red Lions, who forced a rubber match with the Pirates after posting an 89-68 triumph in their first semis encounter, got another high from Jomel Puno, who sank 15 points.
Puno ended up with a double-double of 10 boards for the Red Lions, who are headed to their 16th finals appearance since 2006, the year they won their first ever crown at the expense of the Philippine Christian University Dolphins.
“Pinasok ko sina Nygel (Gonzales) and it was a big game for them. The were zoning and staying with Jacob (Cortez). Luckily, they left some guys open, and they were ready to shoot. They had the confidence, like Damie (Cuntapay),” said Red Lions’ coach Yuri Escueta of the Red Lions logging a total of 13 triples during the game.
The Pirates will miss a third finals appearance following title showdowns with the Red Lions in 2017 and 2018.
The Red Lions will meet the Mapua Cardinals in a best-of-three finals’ affair starting with Game 1 on Wednesday. Game 2 is set on Sunday.
It will be the second time that the Red Lions will fight for the crown with the Cardinals, who beat San Beda the first time they battled for the title back in 1991.
Meanwhile, organizers have approved the staging of a battle for third place in all but two events this season.
“There’s a battle for third place in all events,” said NCAA Management Committee chair Paul Supan of Season 99 host Jose Rizal University.
All third placers will receive trophies except for centerpiece track and field and medal-rich swimming, which will not have a battle for third.
