The San Beda Red Lions turned on the heat in the final period, and got what they were after on Sunday in the 101st National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) men’s basketball semifinals.
Two charities from Yukien Andrada in the 24.8 seconds won Game 3 for the Red Lions, with a 84-83 triumph over the College of St. Benilde Blazers at the Araneta Coliseum.
The 6’5 Andrada went on to carry the Red Lions with 27 points and four rebounds, his highest output this season.
Since returning to the league in 1986, the Red Lions have reached the men’s basketball finals 19 times.
Their attempt for 12th title since their comeback to the league 39 years ago is now on the line.
The Red Lions will have a chance to add another trophy to their closet when they face the Letran Knights in a best-of-three finals series starting on Wednesday at the Araneta Coliseum.
“There’s one guy na magpatalo. And that’s Yuki (Andrada). Wala akong masabi,” said Red Lions coach Yuri Escueta, as he commended Andrada’s fighting heart, and his desire to help the Mendiola dribblers end their semis series with a 2-1 lead.
The Blazers, with Winston Ynot shooting 18 points, almost folded under the heat of the Red Lions’ defensive pressure.
Andrada drilled in 11 points in the last period, and his triple in the last 6:22 completed San Beda’s rally from a 59-64 deficit at the end of third.
“They showed heart. We started off flat. May jitters. Medyo stiff,” added Escueta.
The Blazers hung on till the end, and after losing off their five-point edge off returning player Agjanti Miller’s heroics.
Miller, back after missing Game 2 due to a right knee contusion suffered in Game 1, had 26 points.
“Hats off to the players. I really challenged them. This was a game of character for us, what we are made of, and what we have inside of us,” remarked Escueta.
It was Miller who put the trailing Red Lions ahead with a game-tying three-point play and a three-pointer with 4:29 to go, 78-72.
A split from Miller with 2:06 kept San Beda ahead, 82-80 in the remaining 2:11.
The Blazers tried to stay within reach, and they did, 81-82, behind Allen Liwag’s charity shot.
But misses by Ian Torres in their next two possession sent allowed the Red Lions to seal the deal in their favor.
In the junior action, the Arellano Braves arranged a championship clash with the Letran Squires, with their double overtime, 109-107 victory over the Mapua Red Robins.
Laurence Pillas’ layup with six ticks left, gave the Braves their second finals stint in 10 years.
The Squires drew 21 points from Nathan Egea in turning back the Emilio Aguinaldo College Brigadiers, 77-68.
