Game Wednesday
(Mall of Asia Arena)
2 p.m. – Mapua vs San Beda (Finals, Game 1)

MANILA — In the face of their elimination round losses to Mapua, Coach Yuri Escueta remains steadfast in his belief that teamwork will be the key to success for SAN Beda in the NCAA men’s basketball Finals.

“Basketball is a team game; you can’t win with just one or two guys. Everyone needs to step up, and the pieces need to fall into place,” Escueta emphasized.

He pointed to the team’s camaraderie and strong bonds, fostering confidence and trust among the players.

“They know they have everyone behind their back, and there’s mutual trust within the team,” he added.

The Finals, kicking off at 2 p.m. today (Wednesday) at the Mall of Asia Arena, will witness a clash between the third-ranked Red Lions and the elimination round topnotcher Cardinals.

San Beda, eliminating No. 2 Lyceum of the Philippines University in the Final Four, is on its 15th championship stint in the last 17 seasons.

Mapua, having overcome third-ranked College of Saint Benilde in the other Final Four pairing, secures their spot on the grand stage for the second time in three seasons.

For Coach Escueta, each member of his squad holds equal importance, highlighting the unity that will propel them toward victory.

“As I said nga there’s Jacob (Cortez), there’s Yuki (Andrada), but as important as those guys are even until the 15th player and 18th player I have sa lineup ko. Kasi sa practices grabe kung paano i-push ng third group yung first and second group,” said Escueta.

The Red Lions hope to find a way to neutralize the Cardinals’ top guns Clint Escamis and Warren Bonifacio.

Coach Randy Alcantara said that Mapua is extra motivated to make it back to the Finals and refused to lose sight of their goal of another championship, which the school last tasted in 1991.

Incidentally, Alcantara was part of the Cardinals squad that won back-to-back titles.

“Sabi nga noong pregame, nung against JRU nga motivation namin makabawi, ngayon one game away na lang na sa Finals na kami, so kailangan doble pa namin, i-push pa namin yung sarili namin at lalo kaming magtiwala at dumisiplina doon sa depensa namin,” said Alcantara.

“Ayun, team effort, teamwork, and trust sabi ko nga sa mga players. Nadala namin hanggang doon sa pangarap namin kasi kung ito Finals na, hindi ganoong kadali. Kailangan doble, triple trabaho namin,” he added.

(AI/MNM)