MANILA — In a thrilling culmination of their journey through the NCAA juniors basketball season, the University of Perpetual Help System Dalta and Letran emerged victorious in the Final Four, securing their spots in the championship game slated for Saturday (16 March 2024) at the Filoil EcoOil Centre.

Perpetual’s ascent to their inaugural Finals appearance was fueled by the standout performance of Jan Roluna, who, despite being sparingly utilized throughout the season, delivered a remarkable double-double.

Roluna’s career-best 22 points, and 11 rebounds, along with three steals and two assists, propelled the Junior Altas to a hard-fought 96-91 triumph over Mapua, avenging their sole defeat of the season.

Meanwhile, Letran’s journey to the title clash saw Moses Manalili shine with a double-double performance, supported by George Diamante’s near-triple-double effort.

Together, they led the Squires to a convincing 91-77 victory over San Sebastian, securing their second consecutive Finals appearance.

The stage is set for a thrilling best-of-three championship series between the Junior Altas and the Squires, kicking off at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday (16 March 2024) at the San Juan arena.

Roluna, hailing from Nasipit, Agusan Del Norte, played a pivotal role in securing Perpetual’s berth in the Finals, showcasing clutch plays including a crucial three-point shot that widened the lead to 93-85 with just over a minute remaining.

Notable contributions from LeBron Jhames Daep and MVP contender Amiel Acido bolstered Perpetual’s charge, while high-flying guard Mark Gojo Cruz provided additional firepower.

With anticipation building, a fervent crowd of over 1,000 Perpetual supporters eagerly anticipates the chance to witness their team make history by clinching the championship, aiming to secure the one title that has eluded the Las Piñas-based institution in their sporting endeavors.

This achievement marks a significant milestone for the Junior Altas, surpassing their previous Final Four appearance in 2010 under the guidance of coach Tonichi Pujante, with notable players such as Gelo Alolino, Axel Iñigo, Mark Bitoy, Flash Sadiwa, and Joel Brito.

(el Amigo/MNM)

Games Wednesday
(Filoil EcoOil Centre)

8:00 a.m. – LSGH vs SSC-R
10:00 a.m. – Arellano vs Letran
12:00 noon – EAC vs San Beda
2:30 p.m. – Perpetual vs JRU
4:30 p.m. – LPU vs Mapua

MANILA — Mapua bounced back to form with a thrilling 72-71 victory over the previously undefeated University of Perpetual Help System Dalta in the NCAA juniors basketball tournament held at the Filoil EcoOil Centre.

Lawrence Mangubat led the charge with 25 points, supported by Sean Salvador’s 13 points, six rebounds, two assists, and two steals, en route to halting the Junior Altas’ five-game winning streak.

Meanwhile, titleholders Letran, behind Moses Manalili’s 15 points and nine assists, along with Jolo Navarro’s 14 points, nine rebounds, three steals, and three blocks, secured an 83-69 win over Emilio Aguinaldo College.

This victory created a three-way tie with Mapua and Perpetual, all boasting a 5-1 record.

The Squires extended their winning streak to four games.

In other matchups, San Sebastian edged past Arellano University 102-100 to stay within striking distance of the league leaders.

Lyceum of the Philippines University clinched their first win with a convincing 77-68 victory over San Beda.

Ruvic Danag’s 34 points propelled San Sebastian to a 4-2 record, while Ben Jimenez’s 20 points and seven rebounds contributed to the win.

Additionally, Kian Panerio’s 16 points and Kyle Timbol’s 14 points led Lyceum to end their five-game losing streak.

With these results, the Red Cubs fell to a 3-3 record, the Brigadiers slipped to 2-4, and the Braves now share a 1-5 record with the Pirates.

(el Amigo/MNM)

MANILA — In a thrilling showdown at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, San Beda secured its long-awaited championship by defeating Mapua 76-66 in the NCAA men’s basketball Finals on Sunday (17 Dec 2023).

The Red Lions emerged victorious in the best-of-three title series, marking their 23rd crown and denying the Cardinals a chance to capture their first championship since 1991.

Overcoming early-season setbacks, San Beda showcased resilience, especially against top-ranked Mapua, whom they had lost to in the previous three encounters.

Excelling in do-or-die situations, the Red Lions climbed from the third spot in the regular season to clinch their place in the Finals, defeating the second-ranked Lyceum of the Philippines University.

Expressing his joy, head coach Yuri Escueta, in his second season with the program, commended his players for their dedication and hard work throughout the season.

Escueta, a proven winner with UAAP titles as a player for Ateneo, highlighted the team’s journey, saying, “Pinagtrabahuan namin ito since January. Lahat pinagdaanan namin.”

James Payosing, delivering a standout performance, secured the Finals MVP title with a double-double of 11 points and 14 rebounds, accompanied by two steals.

Yukien Andrada played a pivotal role as he uncorked an impressive second-half surge, contributing 20 points along with Nygel Gonzales who came away with 10 points to the scoreboard.

In the final period, Andrada matched the Cardinals’ output with nine points, sealing the deal for the Red Lions who had a decisive 23-point final quarter output.

JC Recto led Mapua with 18 points and 13 rebounds, while season MVP Clint Escamis faced shooting challenges, finishing with 13 points on a 4-of-22 shooting performance.

Peter Rosillo chipped in with 10 points for Mapua.

  The scores:

San Beda 76 — Andrada 20, Payosing 11, Gonzales 10, Cortez 8, Royo 6, Jopia 6, Tagle 4, Alfaro 4, Puno 3, Visser 2, Cuntapay 2.

Mapua 66 — Recto 18, Escamis 13, Rosillo 10, Hernandez 6, Cuenco 5, Dalisay 5, Bonifacio 4, Soriano 3, Fornis 2, Bancale 0, Sabsalon 0.

Quarterscores: 24-15; 36-35; 53-57; 76-66

MANILA — Before an appreciative crowd of 22,465 fans at the Mall of Asia Arena, the San Beda Red Lions secured a 71-65 victory against the Mapua Cardinals in Game Two on December 10, setting the stage for a riveting decider in the NCAA Season 99 men’s basketball Finals.

Jacob Cortez orchestrated a late-game surge, contributing 21 points, including two crucial triples in the last 4:28. Despite a challenging third quarter, San Beda emerged with a remarkable 23-point performance in the final canto.

The pivotal moment came with Yukien Andrada’s three-pointer, granting the Red Lions a 70-63 advantage with 2:21 remaining.

Mapua attempted a comeback but faltered, missing crucial free throws, and Peter Alfaro sealed the deal by splitting his charities in the last 8 seconds.

Game Three is scheduled for next Sunday, December 17, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

(AI/MNM)

Games Sunday
(Mall of Asia Arena)
9 a.m. – Benilde vs LPU (Battle for Third)
12:30 p.m. – Awarding Ceremony
2 p.m. – San Beda vs Mapua (Finals, Game 2)

MANILA — In a thrilling display of determination, Clint Escamis proved his mettle as Mapua clinched a pivotal 68-63 triumph over San Beda, placing them on the precipice of their first NCAA men’s basketball title in 32 years at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Overcoming mid-third quarter cramps, Escamis showcased resilience by sinking a crucial three-pointer and two clutch free throws late in the game, contributing significantly to the Cardinals’ Game 1 success.

“End or gitna ng third quarter, nag suffer ako ng cramps, minanage ko time ko, sa fourth quarter dun ko binuhos,” shared Escamis, who concluded the match with 18 points, six rebounds, and three steals.

Mapua is now poised to seize the championship in Game 2, scheduled for 2 p.m. on Sunday at the same Pasay venue.

The Cardinals demonstrated a robust defense, limiting Jacob Cortez to just 12 points after a scoreless first half, and stifling San Beda’s shooters to a mere five triples out of 32 attempts.

This starkly contrasted with San Beda’s performance in the Final Four, where they drained 13 three-pointers in each of their two victories over Lyceum of the Philippines University.

Mapua stands on the verge of ending a prolonged title drought, aiming for their first men’s crown since their 1991 triumph and seventh title overall.

Despite Coach Randy Alcantara’s absence from the post-game media interview due to dizziness, graduating forward Warren Bonifacio expressed satisfaction that the Cardinals effectively countered San Beda’s lethal outside shooting.

“Alam naman natin San Beda is deadly sa three points,” remarked Mapua’s captain. “Ilang araw din kami nag-practice takbuhan at close out sa three points nila, buti maganda naging resulta sa game.”

Bonifacio, cautious of San Beda’s resilience, emphasized, “We’re glad nakuha first game in the series, pero hindi naman dun natatapos, job’s not done yet. Alam naman namin babawi San Beda sa Game 2, kailangang maging ready lang kami.”

        The scores:

        Mapua (68) – Escamis 18, Hernandez 16, Rosillo 15, Bonifacio 15, Bonifacio 6, Recto 5, Cuenco 4, Soriano 4, Fornis 0, Dalisay 0.

        San Beda (63) – Payosing 14, Puno 12, Cortez 12, Andrada 8, Jopia 8, Tagle 5, Cuntapay 2, Visser 2, Alfaro 0, Gonzales 0, Royo 0, Gallego 0.

        Quarterscores: 17-17; 36-31; 59-48; 68-63

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)

MANILA — Mapua showcased a stellar performance in the NCAA Season 99 men’s basketball semifinals, clinching a spot in the finals by defeating the College of St. Benilde, 78-67, at the MOA Arena on Tuesday.

Led by the impressive partnership of Paolo Hernandez and Clint Escamis, who have been best friends since their Mapua high school days, the Cardinals dominated the fourth quarter.

The duo combined for 16 of the team’s 22 fourth-quarter points, securing a coveted ticket to San Beda dominance best-of-three finals, scheduled for either Sunday or Monday.

Hernandez led the scoring with 22 points, while Escamis, set to be crowned MVP this season, contributed 21 crucial points.

The Cardinals’ solid defense held CSB’s Miguel Oczon to just three points in the final period, a significant factor in their victory.

Mapua’s head coach, Randy Alcantara, acknowledged the pivotal role played by the Hernandez-Escamis pair, stating, “With the help of these two veterans, nagawa namin ito (we did it).” The coach emphasized the importance of their defense against Oczon in the fourth quarter.

This victory marks Mapua’s second finals appearance in the last three seasons and presents an opportunity to end a 32-year title drought, dating back to their back-to-back championships in 1990 and 1991.

Coach Alcantara, a key player in Mapua’s previous era of glory, is now on the verge of achieving a trifecta of triumphs, aiming to add a senior title as a coach to his four championships—two as a player and two as a Mapua high school coach.

Paolo Hernandez expressed the team’s determination, saying, “With Clint and Boni (skipper Warren Bonifacio), we’ll do our best makuha this season.” Hernandez, along with Escamis and Bonifacio, was part of Alcantara’s two NCAA high school champion squads.

On the other side of the semifinal showdown, San Beda displayed dominance over Lyceum of the Philippines, securing an 89-68 victory.

Jacob Cortez played a pivotal role with a career-high 28 points, forcing a deciding game for the right to face Mapua in the best-of-three finals.

San Beda’s mentor, Yuri Escueta, emphasized their focus on survival, stating, “Focused lang kami on this game (We were focused on this game).”

The do-or-die game is scheduled to take place at the Araneta Coliseum on Friday.

      The scores:

      First Game

      Mapua (78) – Hernandez 22, Escamis 21, Cuenco 10, Bonifacio 9, Soriano 6, Rodillo 4, Recto 3, Asuncion 3, Igliane 0, Fornis 0, Dalisay 0.

      Benilde (67) – Oczon 17, Corteza 14, Carlos 10, Gozum 9, Sangco 5, Mara 5, Turco 3, Arciaga 2, Marcos 2, Nayve 0, Cajucom 0, Marasigan 0, Davis 0.

      Quarterscores: 14-18; 34-37; 56-55; 78-67

      Second Game

      San Beda (89);- Cortez 28, Andrada 12, Gonzales 12, Payosing 9, Puno 7, Visser 6, Tagle 6, Jopia 6, Alfaro 2, Cuntapay 1, Tagala 0, Torres 0.

      LPU (68) – Valdez 14, Guadaña 12, Barba 10, Cunanan 9, Umali 8, Villegas 6, Bravo 4, Montaño 3, Omandac 2, Peñafiel 0, Saure 0, Fuentes 0, Versoza 0.

      Quarterscores: 22-16; 52-38; 73-60; 89-68

(Amado Inigo/mnm)

MANILA – Perpetual Help volleyball player Louie Ramirez is scheduled to leave for Japan next week to train with the Oita Miyoshi Weisse Adler, a club that competes in the top-level professional tournament V-League 1.

The 23-year-old Ramirez, named National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Season 98 and Finals Most Valuable Player (MVP) after leading the Altas to a third consecutive title this year, received the invitation for a three-week training program last month.

“I was surprised because there are so many good players here in the Philippines and they chose me. I’m so happy to be invited,” the 6-foot-3 spiker told the Philippine News Agency on Sunday.

“I’m nervous because it will be my first trip abroad. I’m also excited to be training with the Japanese players” he added.

Marck Espejo (2018-2019) and Bryan Bagunas (2019-2022) both played for Oita Miyoshi Weisse Adler, which represented Japan in the 2014 Asian Men’s Club Volleyball Championship.

Espejo, the Finals MVP after Cignal won the 2023 Spikers’ Turf Open Conference title in March, has joined the Incheon Korean Air Jumbos.

The 6-foot-5 Bagunas, on the other hand, earned the MVP plum after helping the Win Streak Club win its first title at the Top Volleyball League in Chinese Taipei early this year.

“The invitation is a great opportunity for me to improve my knowledge in volleyball that’s why I am really looking forward to the training program,” said Ramirez, an incoming Hospitality Management senior.

The Dasol, Pangasinan native still has one more playing year with the Altas.

He thanked Perpetual Help chair Antonio Tamayo for the all-out support to the Altas, owners of 13 NCAA titles, and to coach Sammy Acaylar for honing his talent.

Acaylar, a former national player, saw the potential of Ramirez during the 2018 Palarong Pambansa in Vigan, Ilocos Sur while representing Malimpin National High School.

“Coach Sammy approached me, he asked if I wanted to play for Perpetual. I’m glad I made the right decision. Whatever I have achieved as a player, I will forever be grateful to coach Sammy,” said Ramirez, who also acknowledged coaching staff members Michael Cariño, Joemel Sagun, Rey Taneo and John Patrick Ramos.

Acaylar said Ramirez is humble player, coachable, loyal and always filled with gratitude.

“Many tried to recruit him even though he’s already with Perpetual, but he did not entertain these offers, especially his parents. The parents say they owe a debt of gratitude to the coach who trained and improved his skills. Louie is helpful and loving to his parents, that’s why the Lord blessed him,” Acaylar said in an interview.

Ramirez, the third among five siblings, still dreams of making the national team.

“Hopefully, I will be given a chance to play for the Philippine team,” said Ramirez, who joined a tryout two years ago but was not picked.

Ramirez may not be good enough for the national team at the moment but the Oita Miyoshi Weisse Adler Club must have seen something to notice him.

“I know that I will learn a lot from the training in Japan. I am determined to improve my skills and be a better player,” said Ramirez. (PNA)