THE San Beda Red Lions were not expected to go this far in season 99 of the National Collegiate Athletic Association men’s basketball tournament and win the title.
But after winning four straight games towards the end of the elimination round, the fortunes of the Red Lions finally turned around.
The Red Lions ended up as the third-seeded squad in the Final Four, where they brushed past the second-seeded Lyceum Pirates to remain undefeated after six games and reach the finals against the Mapua Cardinals.
Losing in Game 1, 68-63, before bouncing back in Game 2, 65-71, the Red Lions found the right personnel in Game 3 to win the crown over the Mapua Cardinals, 76-66, on Sunday at the Araneta Coliseum.
“Not to be arrogant, but in our circle, we know our capabilities and have each other’s back,” said San Beda coach Yuri Escueta moments after their series and title-clinching win.
“Yes, there’s stuff that comes out of the media but the important thing is, our belief in each other,” he added.
The Red Lions left their fate in the hands of reserve player James Payosing in the fourth quarter to grab their 23rd crown. Payosing, a third-year wingman, was adjudged Finals’ MVP following his heroics in the last minutes of the game.
Escueta sent Payosing in after key players Jacob Cortez and Yukien Andrada struggled with cramps in the final period.
“Knowing James, lagi niyang kasama si Jacob. Kaya hindi niya masyadong expect iyung nangyari sa kanya.
Dahil gusto rin niyang manalo ng title,” said Escueta.
The Red Lions turned things around in the closing minutes of the game, off a couple of free throws by Payosing followed by an Andrada triple and a Cortez jumper, which handed the Red Lions a 68-61 edde.
“Everyone is happy for him (Payosing). He is deserving. He stepped up during the fourth quarter,” added Escueta, who gave Payosing the role of playing backup to Cortez and Andrada should they ever get into trouble during games.
“Personally, of course, I’m happy. At the same time, I’m very happy for my players. These are the guys who stayed and said to themselves, ‘This is us, we’re going to work hard for this,’” added Escueta.
Payosing, who did not see much action last year because of a fractured left hand, did not have much expectations during the game, except to help keep the Red Lions afloat while Cortez recovers from cramps.
“Hindi ko in-expect kasi inalam ko lang yung role ko. ‘Yung main man namin si Jacob, ‘yung front talaga namin, at ako lang sa likod ni Jacob na umalalay sa kanila sa team. Kung ano ‘yung role ko, rebounder, defender, ‘yung mga scoring, bonus na lang ‘yan sa mga rebounds,” said Payosing, who finished with 11 points and 14 rebounds in the Game 3.
Andrada tallied 20 points and six rebounds while Cortez, who felt cramps in the third quarter, added eight points and eight assists.