San Beda University’s Yuki Andrada against Mapua University. Photo from NCAA Philippines/Angela Davocol

MANILA — San Beda University reasserted its mastery of Mapua University to close out the first round of the NCAA Season 100 men's basketball tournament.

Led by Yuki Andrada, the Red Lions stunned the Cardinals, 76-69, in overtime in their Season 99 Finals rematch at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City on Tuesday.

Andrada fired 18 points, five of which came in the extended period, to go along with nine rebounds, two steals, and an assist, while James last year's Finals MVP James Payosing finished with 15 markers, seven boards, an assist, and a steal.

"Alam naman natin si Yuki, whether he misses shots or he makes them, he's still gonna shoot them," said SBU head coach Yuri Escueta on the confidence of his stretch forward who hit a go-ahead triple as well as a vital mid-range jumper in OT. 

"He knows that he has that green light from us. As long as he catches the ball right and balanced siya," he added. 

Also starring in their win was Penny Estacio who made the overtime possible, and Escueta hailed the decision of their new point guard in regulation.

San Beda University guard Penny Estacio‘s lay-up in the fourth period against Mapau University that sent the game into overtime. Photo by NCAA Philippines/Angela Davocol.  

"Meron talaga siyang fake handoff, so option yung pag sumama yung dalawang [defender] kay [James Payosing], may fake handoff siya," pointed out Escueta. "Buti nila lang, maganda yung timing. Kala nila kay Bismarck [Lina] kami pupunta. It was a good read by Penny."

Down 66-64 after a crucial basket by former Red Cub Chris Hubilla to put Mapua up by two, Estacio faked Lawrence Mangubat off the inbound pass, and this paved the way for the former De La Salle University guard for a clear path to the rim and tie the game after his lay-in.

Clint Escamis had the chance to win the game in their final possession, but he missed his shot at the buzzer from three-point range.

Meanwhile, Andrada hit a triple in overtime when San Beda was down by a point for a 71-69 lead with over two minutes left, and he furthered their lead to four, 73-69, after another basket at the 1:15 mark.

Mangubat and Marc Cuenco had multiple chances to chase SBU as the game neared its end, but Jomel Puno’s split from the foul line and Bryan Sajonia’s basket eventually allowed the defending champions to improve to 6-3 and finish the first round as the second seed.

Meanwhile, Cuenco finished with 20 markers, five boards, and four assists for Mapua, but they are now at 6-3, tied with SBU and Colegio de San Juan de Letran. They are currently at the No.3 spot after they defeated the Knights earlier in the season.

THE SCORES:

San Beda 76 – Andrada 18, Payosing 15, Sajonia 10, Estacio 9, Gonzales 6, Puno 6, Lina 5, Tagle 3, Celzo 2, Royo 2, Calimag 0.

Mapua 69 – Cuenco 20, Escamis 19, Concepcion 9, Mangubat 6, Hubilla 6, Bancale 5, Igliane 2, Jabonete 2, Ryan 0, Fermin 0.

Quarterscores: 19-16, 30-38, 53-53, 66-66, 76-69.