San Beda University big man Yuki Andrada. Photo from NCAA Philippines.

MANILA — San Beda University has ended its NCAA Season 100 men's basketball campaign in painful fashion.

The Red Lions' title defense was cut short by De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde through a 79-63 Final 4 defeat on Saturday at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay, a game that saw the Yuri Escueta-mentored team trail by as much as 30.

This means that the Blazers will now go up against Mapua University in the Best-of-3 Finals which starts on December 1 at the Araneta Coliseum, while for the Red Lions, it may have meant bidding goodbye to one of their stars — sweet shooting big man Yuki Andrada

READ: St. Benilde ends San Beda's reign to enter Season 100 Finals

"[Our season] was up and down, for sure," said the 6-foot-6, 23-year-old following their loss. "It was a tough season for us. Some guys came in late, and at the start of the off-season pa lang hindi na kami complete, pero we dealt with what we have."

Despite dealing with a retooled roster, as San Beda came in Season 100 sans gunner Jacob Cortez while bringing in the likes of Bryan Sajonia, and brothers Richi and RC Calimag, the Red Lions managed to stay afloat.

At one point, they sat at 10-4 in the team standings, which was then a good spot to enter the playoffs with a twice-to-beat incentive.

Unfortunately for the now-dethroned champions, they went on to lose their next four including the last one against CSB, but these, according to Andrada, were still valuable lessons for him and the whole team.

"There are still a lot of learnings, and I hope we can come back better and stronger next season," he said.

However, the brother of former PBA player Yutien Andrada is unsure whether he will be applying these pointers with the Red Lions for his final year of eligibility, or in the professional ranks.

"I'm still thinking about it. Wala pa talaga akong final decision if I'm gonna stay or if I'm gonna go to the draft," said the one-time NCAA champion, who averaged a team-best 12.1 points, with 5.8 rebounds, 1.5 assists, half a steal, and 0.42 blocks, and drained a third league-best 40 three-pointers on 33.9% shooting.

"Gusto ko rin makabawi next season if ever makabalik ako sa San Beda. But if there's an opportunity sa pros, pangarap ko rin makarating sa level na yun, pero I'm still deciding on it first," he added.

Regardless of whatever Andrada's decision is, San Beda head coach Yuri Escueta said that he will support his player.The San Beda Red Lions and head coach Yuri Escueta. Photo from NCAA Philippines.

"He's one of the guys who are graduating, and sabi ko nga sa kaniya, it was a pleasure for me to coach him, with his IQ, skill, and talents," said the TNT Tropang GIGA assistant coach.

"Whatever his decision is, susuportahan namin siya. Hindi namin siya pababayaan, yung San Beda University, kung ano man magiging desisyion niya. Yung skill level and basketball IQ niya is ready na for the next level, so swerte yung makakakuha sa kanya."

"Baka mamaya, wala na siyang kailangang patunayan or i-improve dito. Baka kailangan next level na, PBA na ang kailangang kalabanin niya para sa growth niya," he added.

Escueta also touched on the possibility of reuniting with Yuki in the PBA with TNT, or competing against him with his Red Lions deputy Norman Black who serves as a consultant for the Meralco Bolts.

"‘Pag nagpa-draft siya, hopefully, we meet again soon. Sana makuha namin siya early second round. Kapag available yan, kukunin namin," explained Escueta. "And I'm sure, si Coach Norman din sa Meralco, ‘pag available yan, kukunin yan."

Another route that Andrada could go through, said Escueta is the same one that former Lyceum of the Philippines star Enoch Valdez and Colegio de San Juan de Letran big man Pao Javillonar went through — entering the PBA Rookie Draft and still exhausting their final year in the NCAA.

"Kung papasok sa schedule, pwed yun. That's an option for him to do," he said. "Everything naman is on the table, so we have to talk pa with him."

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