There wasnt much fanfare. But to me it had a respectable feeling that the Mapua Cardinals fought to the last. The San Beda Red Lions claimed its right to face the Letran Knights, a duel after 57 years in the making, in the 83rd Season of the NCAA with a win over the Mapua Cardinals, 74-64, at the Araneta Coliseum last September 12.
With the return of Yousif Aljamal in the Red Lions’ line-up after a controversial 2-game absence, the Red Lions forward contributed from inside and out for a game total 26-points under his name.
Pong Escobal was his usual take charge self contributing 13-points. While Sam Ekwe had 10-points and 3 shot blocks.
Borgie Hermida had 8-points and, surprisingly, being the smallest guy on the floor for the Red Lions, had 6 offensive rebounds. Ogie Menor and Raymund Maggay had 6-points each.
The Cardinals had some runs, but San Beda led most of the way. The game only had 1 deadlock and 1 leadchange and it happened in the 1st quarter.
Kelvin de la Pena led Mapua with 14-points. Followed by Jonathan Banal with 13-points and Sean Co with 12-points. Neil Pascual had 10-points and 4 rebounds. But de la Pena led the Cardinals in rebounds with 11.
San Beda had 22 assists compared to Mapua’s 14 assists. And in the steals department, San Beda outhustled Mapua 7-3.
Coach Frankie Lim Post Game Interview:
SBC – 74
Aljamal 26, Escobal 13, Ekwe 10, Hermida 8, Menor 6, Maggay 6, Gamalinda 5, Taganas 0, Marcelo 0, Tecson 0, Lanete 0, Tirona 0
MIT – 64
De La Pena 14, Banal 13, Co 12, Pascual 10, Del Rosario 7, Acosta 6, Sumalinog 2, Guillermo 0
Quarter Scores: 21-15, 37-33, 61-46, 74-64
Deadlock:1, Leadchanges: 1
inboundpass.com Blog 
sana mag step up din lahat ng mga bench players ng red lions sa finals…. im sure, mananalo san beda kapag ganun…
alright let the games begin next week 🙂
go san beda fight…
lanete,gamalinda,maggay,taganas,marcelo,tirona,tecson etc. khit dalawa lang dyan gumawa ng atleast 7pts pataas, sure na. kasi yung first five naman sobrang lakas na eh.. hehe
“With the return of Yousif Aljamal in the Red Lions’ line-up after a controversial 2-game suspension”
Let me correct you on that one, he voluntarily did not play as an act of good faith from San Beda to the NCAA. He was not suspended, that was clearly stated by the ManCom. I just hope even with those two games he sitted out he will still get both the MVP and the championship! What a way to end you career in the NCAA!
hoy mike abasolo, hindi suspended si aljamal. research ka nga din. para kang si josef ramos e.
Gentlemen,
For those who are sensitive about the matter. I have re-worded the story to fit anyone reading it from the NCAA community.
Thanks! that’s better. But inserting “voluntary” would be better. Thanks Mike!
Hoy procopio, para kang sino walang taong perpekto sabihin lang ng maayos. hehe! PAX!