HERO. San Beda University's Jacob Cortez (No. 2) is tightly guarded by Mapua's Kobe Dalisay during Game 2 of the NCAA Season 99 men's basketball finals at Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City on Sunday (Dec. 10, 2023). Cortez scored 21 points in leading the Red Lions to the series-tying victory, 71-65. (NCAA photo)
MANILA – San Beda University banked on Jacob Cortez to pull off a 71-65 victory over Mapua University in Game 2 and forge a decider in the NCAA Season 99 men's basketball title series at Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City on Sunday.
Cortez scored 21 points, including back-to-back triples that padded the Red Lions’ lead to 67-61 in the final 4 and ½ minutes, before Yukien Andrada made it a 70-63 advantage with another trey, 2:15 remaining.
San Beda blew a 15-point lead in the third and trailed 48-53 entering the payoff quarter.
Game 3 will be played at Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City on Dec. 17.
Mapua won Game 1, 68-63, but was foiled in its bid to finally nail a title after 32 years.
Cortez said the victory, witnessed by 22,465 fans, was a collective effort.
“It’s not just me. The other guys stepped up as well, not just offensively but defensively. It's about sticking together as a team,” said the 21-year-old son of former pro and De La Salle star Mike Cortez.
Cortez also had nine rebounds, three assists and two steals.
“One more week before Game 3 and we want to bring the same intensity. The only thing we did and told ourselves is to stay together, never give up, fight until the end," San Beda coach Yuri Escueta said.
Earlier, College of St. Benilde defeated Lyceum, 93-83, in the first NCAA battle for third place.
Clint Escamis, who earned the Rookie of the Year and Most Valuable Player awards, led Mapua with 15 points, nine rebounds and four assists.
Escamis averaged a league-best 16.6 points, 3.65 steals, 4.1 assists (fourth-best) and 5.95 rebounds to help Mapua get the No. 1 spot with a 15-3 record after the double-round elimination.
He earned a Player Average Value of 53.16 to beat Lyceum’s Enoch Valdez (44.82).
Joining Escamis and Valdez in the Mythical First Team were Jun Roque (Perpetual Help), JP Maguiliano (Emilio Aguinaldo College) and Warren Bonifacio (Mapua).
The Defensive Player of the Year award went to Romel Calahat (San Sebastian) while Maguliano and Lorenz Capulong (Arellano) also made it to the defensive team with Valdez and Escamis.
Roque was named Most Improved Player of the Year while Jay Garupil (Letran) received the Freshman of the Year plum, given to players who came straight from high school.
The scores:
SAN BEDA 71 – Cortez 21, Puno 9, Andrada 9, Jopia 8, Alfaro 7, Royo 6, Cuntapay 5, Payosing 4, Tagle 2, Gonzales 0, Visser 0.
MAPUA 65 – Escamis 15, Recto 14, Hernandez 13, Soriano 10, Cuenco 5, Rosillo 5, Bonifacio 3, Asuncion 0, Dalisay 0, Bancale 0.
Quarters: 20-19, 42-30, 48-53, 71-65 (PNA)
