San Beda ready for NCAA title defense

c/o NCAA

SAN BEDA’s title defense in the upcoming NCAA Season 102 men’s basketball tournament started off rocky in the offseason but that didn’t dampen coach Yuri Escueta’s belief in the Red Lions.

Following the tournament’s press conference at the Mall of Asia Arena on Monday, Escueta bared that the Red Lions faced multiple challenges after Season 101, including a hit in the defending champions’ lineup.

Still, Escueta is “satisfied” with how the squad has been responding despite losing all of his starters from last year.

“As a coach, satisfied ako sa preparations namin and the tournaments we’ve joined sa Filoil, Asiabasket. Those are tournaments where we prepared ourselves,” he said.

“‘Yong offseason namin medyo challenging. ‘Di pa nagsstart ‘yong title defense namin na-injure na agad ‘yong starting point guard ko (Nygel Gonzales). Good thing lang na na-address namin early ‘yon kasi we had time to play [in the] offseason without him.”

Gonzales suffered an ACL injury during the offseason, Janti Miller switched ships from Mendiola to Taft with La Salle and Bryan Sajonia, Joe Celzo and Yukien Andrada are all in the PBA.

On paper, San Beda is looking at a tough path en route to back-to-back titles.

Aside from their own roster woes, the NCAA’s landscape has changed dramatically over the past couple of months.

Lyceum and Mapua got some shots in their arms following the appointments of former PBA coaches Jamike Jarin and Chito Victolero, who were both in attendance during Monday’s preceding.

There’s also the rejuvenated Letran Knights who will be bolstered by Titing Manalili, last year’s Rookie and Freshman of the Year awardee.

There will also be no shortage of dark horses for Season 102 with Jose Rizal University leading the pack under coach Nani Epondulan. The Heavy Bombers barely missed last year’s semifinals with a 6-7 card.

Even with a harsh landscape awaiting the defending kings of the NCAA, Escueta remained positive about his squad’s back-to-back title dreams.

“Everyone’s very positive. Me, as a coach, I’m confident sa team ko but we know it’s going to be a challenge because all the teams got stronger.”

The NCAA Season 102 basketball games will air live and free on Cignal platforms via the ONE Sports Youtube Channel and the CignalPlay app. 

Select games will also air on Mondays and Thursdays on the RPTV Channel. A dedicated channel to NCAA Content will also be launched in NCAA NXT channel 264 HD on Cignal prior to the opening.

Letran, San Beda lock in top seeds in NCAA group for Filoil Preseason

c/o Filoil 

Standings

UAAP Group
W L
UP 5 1
NU 5 1
DLSU 4 2
UST 3 3
FEU 3 3
AdU 0 5
Gilas 0 5

NCAA Group
W L
CSJL 8 1
SBU 7 2
JRU 7 2
MU 7 2
CSB 5 4
EAC 4 5
UPHSD 3 6
LPU 3 6
AU 1 8
SSCR 0 9

Games Friday (Quarterfinals)
11 a.m. - NU vs. JRU
1 p.m. - UST vs. Letran
3 p.m. - UP vs. Mapua
6 p.m. - San Beda vs. La Salle

LETRAN made sure to avoid any complications en route to the playoffs of the 19th Filoil Ecooil Preseason Cup presented by ABC Tile Adhesive, locking up the top seed of the NCAA Group with a 70-66 triumph over Perpetual on Wednesday at Playtime Filoil Centre in San Juan.

Rookie Justin Cargo took the cudgels from an off-shooting Titing Manalili as he delivered 15 points and five rebounds but more importantly, captained the Knights’ fightback from 18 points down.

“Hindi ko naman siya kukunin ng walang purpose or hindi gagamitin. Talagang sinabi ko sa kanya kung ano nakita ko sa kanya, and fortunately, he trusted me with that,” said coach Allen Ricardo of Cargo who was instrumental as Letran ended the eliminations on an eight-game win streak to arrange a quarterfinals date against University of Santo Tomas on Friday.

Fellow rookie George Diamante also held it down for the reserves, chipping in 11 points and five boards while Jimboy Estrada scored 10 in the win.

Their performances couldn’t have come at a better time especially with Manalili limited to just four points in 18 minutes of play in the final prelims playdate of this tourney which has Hanes, Buffalo's Wings N Things, Wallem, BDO, Akari, Smart, Molten, Reyes Barbecue, Nature's Spring, EO Executive Optical, FWD Insurance, Tela.com Athletics, Brothers Burger, B’lue Vita Boost, Mejos Lechon Cebu, and Don Benito's as sponsors.

LA Casinillo led the Altas with 19 points to cap off their 3-6 campaign.

San Beda also avoided similar difficulties with an emphatic 68-49 victory over Mapua.

Zed Etulle led the Red Lions with 14 points, seven rebounds, and two assists, JC Bonzalida also nabbed 14 points and seven boards, and rookie Andrei Ugaddan had his share of the spotlight by contributing 11 points and seven rebounds in the wire-to-wire win.

“Coming off that tough loss against Letran, we wanted to get this win going to the quarterfinals and at least you get your rhythm back,” said coach Yuri Escueta, whose San Beda crew will brace for the challenge of La Salle in the final eight.

Jaymark Lloren was the only one to breach double figures for the Cardinals with his 10 points in the loss that forced a three-way tie for no. 2 in the pool at 7-2.

San Beda, though, held the superior quotient thanks to this 19-point win, with idle Jose Rizal U claiming the third-seed and Mapua sliding down to fourth.

The Cardinals will now have to prepare for UAAP Group’s no. 1 seed University of the Philippines, while the Heavy Bombers will take on UAAP no. 2 National U.

In the day’s other games, Far Eastern U ended its preseason run in a flurry, taking down winless Adamson, 79-63.

Janrey Pasaol’s displayed MVP-caliber productions anew with 13 points, six rebounds, seven assists, and three steals, with all but one point from beyond the arc to level their standing at 3-3.

Matty Erolon paced the Soaring Falcons (0-5) with 16 markers from three triples.

Lyceum of the Philippines also arrested its two-game skid with a 95-91 victory over Emilio Aguinaldo College.

Renz Villegas waxed hot with his 27-point performance on an efficient 13-of-14 clip from the free throw line, while Jerome Almario and Nat Fuentes chimed in 11 points apiece to help the Pirates finish their run with a 3-6 win-loss record.

Harvae Raymundo topscored for the Generals (4-5) with 18 points as Jacob Shanoda got 16 points and nine boards in the losing cause.

The Scores:

First Game:
LETRAN 70 - Cargo 15, Diamante 11, Estrada 10, Gammad 9, Siena 8, Santos 6, Manalili 4, Montecillo 3, Buensalida 2, Silorio 2, Hugo 0, Valdeavilla 0, Tapenio 0.
PERPETUAL 66 - Casinillo 19, Gojo Cruz 9, Tulabut 7, Corpuz 7, Borja 4, Maglupay 4, Duremdes 3, Montemayor 3, Orgo 2, Baldoria 2, Roluna 2, Caugiran 0, Gelsano 0, Cristino 0, Magdangal 0.
Quarters: 12-18, 35-44, 58-55, 70-66.

Second Game:
LPU 95 - Villegas 27, Fuentes 11, Almario 11, Ondoa 8, Caduyac 8, Rubico 7, Aviles 7, Aurigue 7, Peñafiel 2, Daileg 2, Manuel 2, Gordon 2, Cardinas 0, Matienzo 0.
EAC 91 - H. Raymundo 18, Shanoda 16, M. Raymundo 14, Nunag 11, Castillo 11, Ochavo 5, Namoro 4, Sealey 4, Mundas 2, Coronel 2, Lanceta 2, Luna 2, Baniqued 0, Buen 0, Campana 0.
Quarters: 25-21, 49-48, 66-74, 95-91.

Third Game:
SAN BEDA 68 - Bonzalida 14, Etulle 14, Ugaddan 11, Songcuya 8, Hawkins 6, Estacio 6, Sarigumba 3, Ri. Calimag 3, Dabao 2, Jalbuena 1, RC. Calimag 0.
MAPUA 49 - Lloren 10, Diaz 8, Cuenco 7, Pascual 6, S. Reyes 4, L. Nitura 4, Ryan 3, Igliane 2, M. Nitura 2, Lazarte 1, Concepcion 1, Liwanag 1, Bernabe 0.
Quarters: 21-11, 35-21, 51-33, 68-49.

Fourth Game:
FEU 79 - Konateh 21, Mongcopa 14, Cabonilas 14, Pasaol 13, Felipe 6, Burgos 6, Bautista 3, Hall 2, Nakai 0, Mahmood 0.
ADAMSON 63 - Erolon 16, Precious 11, Medina 9, Torres 8, Fransman 8, Edding 4, Anabo 3, Cruz-Dumont 2, Demisana 2, Montebon 0, Tumaneng 0, Perez 0, Mangaron 0, Sajili 0, Pacquiao 0.
Quarters: 19-14, 40-33, 60-52, 79-63.

San Beda drops Letran for back-to-back wins

c/o NCAA

San Beda came out on top against Colegio de San Juan de Letran on Sunday afternoon, earning a 68-58 victory in the marquee game of the day in San Juan for the NCAA Season 101 men's basketball tournament.

Head coach Yuri Escueta shared about their rivalry, noting that "There’s really no extra motivation but every time you play Letran you know they’re a strong team that you really have to prepare for."

He adds, "I even look at them (Knights) as an all-star team so I tip my hats off to my guys for playing defense and guarding our defensive targets."

Janti Miller impressed in his first game within this rivalry, leading all scorers with 22 points, while Bryan Sajonia was the only other Red Lion in double figures with eleven markers.

San Beda played without their captain Yukien Andrada, who sat out due to a shoulder sprain.

Leading the Knights in the defeat is Jonathan Manalili, who stuffed the stat sheet with thirteen points, a couple of rebounds, six assists, and a couple of steals. Deo Cuajao added ten markers, as they fell to 0-2 to start off the season.

Letran would manage to split the scheduled matchups, as the Squires emerged as 63-61 winners over the Red Cubs.

UPIS transfer Nathan Egea led the way with fifteen points as the lone Squire in double figures.

The Scores:

SAN BEDA 68 – Miller 22, Sajonia 11, Lina 6, Reyes 6, Gonzales 5, Celzo 5, Etulle 4, Estacio 3, Puno 2, Bonzalida 2, Culdora 2, Songcuya 0, Jalbuena 0

LETRAN 58 – Manalili 13, Cuajao 10, Rosilio 7, Buensalida 6, Estrada 5, Omega 5, Santos 4, Roque 4, Tapenio 3, Gazzingan 1, Gammad 0

Quarter scores: 22-18, 37-34, 53-45, 68-58

LETRAN 63 - Egea 15, Villanueva 9, M. Pascual 7, Cargo 6, Dahino 6,  T. Pascual 5, Valdeavilla 5, Chua 4, Cabanero 4, Timbol 2, Macadangdang 0, Lumague 0, Gelin 0, Barrieta 0

SAN BEDA 61 - Ugaddan 20, Larosa 12, Mejia 12, Gravador 6, Nonato 5, San Juan 3, Tauber 2, Wagan 1, Feliciano 0, Jomalesa 0, Bonzalida 0, Bautista 0, Villanueva 0, San Buenaventura 0, Agbayani 0

Quarter scores: 13-18, 34-29, 48-49, 63-61

San Beda topples College of St. Benilde in NCAA Season 101 opener

c/o NCAA

San Beda starts off its NCAA Season 101 campaign on a winning note, topping the College of Saint Benilde, 96-85, in the second game of the doubleheader at the SMART-Araneta Coliseum.

The Red Lions avenged their Final Four defeat against the Blazers, with Bryan Sajonia leading the way with sixteen points and three steals, as well as a rebound and an assist.

Janti Miller impressed in his official collegiate debut, coming off the bench to also score sixteen markers, while grabbing six rebounds.

Fresh from being selected sixth overall in the just-concluded PBA Draft, Yukien Andrada began his final season in Mendiola with eleven points.

San Beda would overcome trailing in the first quarter to take a 48-45 halftime lead. A strong finish to the third quarter allowed them to extend it to double-digits at 71-61, before expanding it to as large as seventeen in the final period.

CSB would managed to cut that down to a two-possession game at 91-85 on an Allen Liwag bucket with 72 seconds remaining, but those would be the final points of the Blazers in the game, as free throws from Sajonia, Miller, and Jimuel Reyes down the stretch provided the much-needed breathing room.

Liwag contributed a double-double for last season's losing finalists with twelve points and twelve rebounds, while adding four assists. Justine Sanchez led all scorers with 24 points. Ian Torres was the other player in double figures with thirteen markers.

San Beda is set to face Letran on Sunday, while CSB looks to correct its skid against Emilio Aguinaldo College on Saturday. Both matches to be played in San Juan.

THE SCORES:

SAN BEDA 96 – Sajonia 16, Miller 16, Reyes 13, Andrada 11, Etulle 9, Gonzales 8, Calimag 7, Celzo 6, Culdora 4, Bonzalida 4, Lina 2, Estacio 0

ST. BENILDE 85 – Sanchez 24, Torres 13, Liwag 12, Ancheta 8, Celis 6, Oli 6, Cometa 4, Cajucom 4, Moore 3, Morales 3, Gaspay 2, Umali 0, Eusebio 0, Daja 0

Game 2 of the NCAA Season 99 Finals set for GMA simulcast

NCAA Finals

Game 2 of the NCAA Season 99 Men's Basketball is set to commence on Sunday, with the Mapua Institute of Technology at the cusp of clinching their first collegiate basketball title since 1991.

The Cardinals emerged as 68-63 winners against San Beda in Game 1 last Wednesday, with the likely Most Valuable Player Clint Escamis leading all scorers with eighteen points, six rebounds, and a couple of assists, while Paolo Hernandez contributed a double-double with sixteen markers and twelve boards.

It had been the first finals win for the Intramuros school since the historic buzzer-beater by Benny Cheng to defeat this same school.

San Beda will try to force a decider through the efforts of Jacob Cortez, who was limited to twelve points in Game 1, but has the ability to generate buckets anytime. James Payosing led the team with a double-double in the loss with fourteen markers and a dozen boards. Jomel Puno almost got a double-double with twelve points and nine rebounds.

Tip-off for the matchup is slated at 2pm with a simulcast on both GMA and GTV in broadcast, as well as streaming on the social media platforms of both the league, as well as GMA Sports. If necessary, the Game 3 next week will have the same broadcast treatment.

Senior Vice President and GMA Integrated News, Regional TV, and Synergy Head Oliver Victor Amoroso shares, "This season of the NCAA is definitely a must-watch not just for the NCAA community, but for all sports fans as the country’s longest-running collegiate athletic league is just a season away from its centennial celebration. As GMA Network, through GMA Synergy, airs the NCAA Season 99 Men’s Basketball Finals with Game 2 happening this December 10, we encourage sports fans to show their full support to the Mapúa Cardinals and San Beda Red Lions as they battle it out in the finals round after more than three decades. And as always, we thank our partners in the NCAA, especially the Management Committee, for trusting us and giving us this opportunity to bring the NCAA closer to our Kapuso."

Serving as the broadcast duo for this game is Martin Javier and Benjie Paras. Halftime entertainment at the Mall of Asia Arena will be taken care of by Sparkle Artists Hannah Precillas and Garret Bolden.

Also taking place is the historic third place game between Lyceum and the College of Saint Benilde at 9am, with the awarding ceremonies for the outstanding individual players in NCAA Season 99 taking place around lunch time.

San Beda pushes out JRU in NCAA Final Four race

c/o GMA and NCAA

Fresh from a 22-point outburst, Yukien Andrada showed out for San Beda in outlasting Jose Rizal University, 74-69 at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.

Andrada scored a game-high eighteen points, with half of them coming in the third period to help steady things and allow the Red Lions to secure an eight-point lead into the final period, where he scored five points to hold off the Heavy Bombers as they tried to come back from a double-digit deficit.

San Beda's win moves them onto the inside track for the postseason with their tenth win in sixteen matches, good enough for a tie alongside the College of Saint Benilde for third place.

JRU's defeat drops them down to 10-7 with one more game left in the season and puts them on the outside looking in.

The scores:

First Game

San Beda 74- Andrada 18, Puno 13, Cortez 12, Payosing 12, Gonzales 6, Alfaro 6, Royo 3, Jopia 2, Visser 2, Cuntapay 0, Tagle 0

JRU 69- Delos Santos 15, Argente 15, Guiab 10, Dela Rosa 10, Dionisio 7, Miranda 6, Medina 2, Sarmiento 2, De Leon 2, Arenal 0, Sy 0, Sy 0, Ramos 0, Pabico 0, Mosqueda 0

Quarterscores: 20-16; 41-35; 59-51; 74-69

San Beda edges CSB

Fresh from a heartbreaking 71-69 defeat to Mapua, Yukien Andrada and his San Beda teammates redeemed themselves by stepping up to secure a 65-61 win over the College of Saint Benilde.

Andrada, who missed a huge three-point attempt against the Cardinals, bounced back with a game-high 22 points to help secure the Red Lions' ninth win against six defeats, as they creep back into the Final Four race.

The defeat drops the Blazers to 10-6, putting themselves into a tie alongside current season host Jose Rizal University for the last two spots in the postseason.

Second Game

San Beda 65- Andrada 22, Cortez 15, Alfaro 7, Payosing 7, Gonzales 5, Puno 4, Tagle 3, Jopia 2, Cuntapay 0, Visser 0, Royo 0

CSB 61- Gozum 16, Cajucom 13, Carlos 8, Nayve 7, Corteza 6, Oczon 5, Sangco 2, Turco 2, Arciaga 2, Marcos 0, Mara 0, Jarque 0

Quarterscores: 13-14; 29-32; 45-45; 65-61

Mapua nips San Beda

c/o GMA and NCAA

Mapua clicked on defense and got it done on offense through a huge Paolo Hernandez triple to secure the win against San Beda, 71-69, in the NCAA Season 99 men's basketball tournament.

The Cardinals limited the Red Lions to just five points in the final period, with JC Recto finding Hernandez for the three-pointer with 32 seconds remaining to complete a double-digit comeback and claim their twelfth win of the season.

San Beda had a chance to hold on to the victory, but Yukien Andrada's triple from the right baseline hit the side of the backboard.

The matchup between the two of the flashiest guards of the league did not disappoint, as both Clint Escamis and Jacob Cortez led their respective teams in scoring with 21 and 24 points, respectively.

As a result of the defeat, San Beda drops to 8-6, which moved them out of the Final Four race temporarily. Jose Rizal University now occupies the fourth and final postseason spot at 9-6.

Third Game

Mapua 71- Escamis 21, Cuenco 14, Bonifacio 11, Rosillo 8, Asuncion 6, Hernandez 4, Soriano 4, Recto 3, Igliane 0, Morenos 0, Dalisay 0

San Beda 69- Cortez 24, Andrada 15, Puno 9, Tagle 7, Visser 4, Jopia 4, Cuntapay 3, Payosing 3, Royo 0, Gonzales 0, Gallego 0, Alfaro 0

Perpetual stuns San Beda

c/o GMA and NCAA

The University of Perpetual Help System Dalta eked out a 61-57 victory over San Beda on Friday afternoon at the Filoil EcoOil Centre, keeping their postseason hopes alive.

Jun Roque led the way for the Altas with nineteen points, seven rebounds, an assist, a steal, and a couple of blocks, as they avenged their 62-60 first round defeat to the Red Lions a few weeks earlier.

With their seventh win this season in fourteen outings, Perpetual is back at .500 and level with idle Emilio Aguinaldo College. At the same time, it puts them a game behind an also idle Jose Rizal University, which is currently the best team outside the postseason picture.

In spite of the defeat, San Beda still remains in fourth place with an 8-5 record, a half-game ahead of the Heavy Bombers. Jacob Cortez led all scorers with 22 points.

Second Game

UPHSD 61- Roque 19, Pagaran 12, Omega 10, Abis 6, Razon 5, Nitura 4, Cuevas 3, Nunez 2, Barcuma 0, Boral 0, Gelsano 0

San Beda 57- Cortez 22, Andrada 11, Payosing 7, Puno 4, Gonzales 4, Cuntapay 3, Jopia 2, Visser 2, Royo 2, Tagle 0, Alfaro 0

Quarterscores: 22-15; 33-35; 47-45; 61-57

Potential postseason preview as Lyceum-CSB tangle

c/o GMA and NCAA

Games Friday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre

1:30 p.m.- CSB vs Lyceum

3:30 p.m.- San Beda vs Perpetual

Lyceum of the Philippines University hopes to rejoin Mapua atop the NCAA Season 99 Men's Basketball tournament, as they face off against the hottest team in the league in the College of Saint Benilde at 130pm at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.

The Blazers are on a five-game winning run, highlighted by a great 84-81 escape against Jose Rizal University this past Tuesday, but the Pirates are no slouch, having won four straight themselves, including a huge 85-79 victory over current league leaders Mapua.

A win for either side is crucial, with the twice-to-beat advantage afforded to the top two teams, as second-place Lyceum is a game ahead of the third-place CSB. A triumph for the former would allow them to rejoin the Cardinals atop the league, but a victory for the latter means both teams will share of second place and the Cardinals' gap increases to a game-and-a-half.

Incumbent Most Valuable Player Will Gozum showed why he earned that award against the Heavy Bombers, dropping 27 points while also helping preserve the win with a potential game-tying rejection against Marwin Dionisio.

CSB head coach Charles Tiu highlights his importance to the Blazers, shares "He’s the league MVP, we will go wherever he takes us."

The other game of the doubleheader features San Beda and the University of Perpetual Help System Dalta, which tips off at 330pm.

The Red Lions are currently in fourth place and the last postseason ticket at 8-4, with a victory here solidifying their postseason chances and even potentially target a top-two spot.

At 6-7, the Altas need every win they can get to move themselves back into .500 and ever closer to a postseason berth, with a victory also dragging down the San Beda back closer to the chasing teams like idle schools Emilio Aguinaldo College and Jose Rizal University.

Head coach Myk Saguiguit shares that he's lookin at his talented swingman Cyrus Nitura as someone who could potentially give Jacob Cortez fits. He shares, "Ngayon pa lang nakikita ko na sa mukha nito si Cortez."

Nitura is coming off a near-triple-double performance against Arellano, with thirteen points, ten rebounds, and seven assists, while also pulling off five steals in an 84-77 win over the Chiefs this past Tuesday.

NCAA set for volleyball finals

Games today at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan

12 noon – Perpetual vs San Beda (Men Finals)
2 p.m. – Benilde vs LPU (Women Finals) 

With the Holy Week break done and dusted, the NCAA is set to commence its finals for volleyball Tuesday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre.

College of Saint Benilde hopes to keep its undefeated record intact as they face a battle-tested Lyceum side in Game 1 of the women's finals at 2pm.

Currently holding a 27-game winning streak on their way to consecutive titles, the Lady Blazers went to the limit against the Lady Pirates in their only meeting in the eliminations, a 22-25 25-16 16-25 25-13 15-9 victory back in March 4.

They were able to pull off an undefeated run so far this campaign without Mycah Go, the Season 97 Most Valuable Player who injured her left knee in the preseason.

Lyceum, on the other hand, is seeking to cap their maiden postseason run with a championship, after pulling off the upset against the University of Perpetual Help System Dalta just before the Holy Week break.

On the men's side, the University of Perpetual Help System Dalta is seeking their third straight title against an upset-conscious San Beda at noon.

Although the Altas won their only meeting in the eliminations last March 10, 20-25 25-23 25-17 25-16, the Red Spikers is fresh from an upset over Arellano to earn their first finals appearance since 2012, and are hoping to snap Perpetual's current 31-game winning streak.

San Beda hopeful that the outcome will be different this time around, as they got swept by Perpetual back then.

NCAA Volleyball semifinals set

c/o NCAA

Games Wednesday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre
12 noon – Arellano vs San Beda (Men)
2 p.m. – Perpetual vs Lyceum (Women) 

The NCAA Season 98 volleyball tournament is set to have its semifinal round on Wednesday, with second seeds Arellano and the University of Perpetual System Dalta seeking to earn their respective finals spots.

Both toting 8-1 records, the Chiefs and the Lady Altas need to win their respective one-game playoffs against San Beda and Lyceum, respectively, for a chance to avenge their elimination round defeats against Perpetual and the College of Saint Benilde, respectively.

The Red Spikers dispatched Emilio Aguinaldo College in the stepladder playoff on Sunday, 25-22 25-27 25-16 26-24, with Ralph Cabalsa leading the charge with 24 points. They will not make it easy against Arellano, as they took them to five sets before faltering, 23-25 24-26 25-22 25-23 14-16, back in February.

Later that afternoon, the Lady Pirates took care of business against Mapua, 25-18 25-23 29-31 27-25, with Joan Doguna contributing 22 points. Perpetual, however, remain as favorites given their 25-21 25-13 25-22 victory in the eliminations.

Amidst that potential mental disadvantage, head coach Cromwel Garcia promises, "Ang Lady Pirates po ay lalaban ulit."

Both games will be shown LIVE on GTV, with simultaneous streaming on the Facebook and YouTube accounts of GMA Sports and the NCAA Philippines.

The league will take a short break before the start of the finals on April 11.

Lyceum snags maiden postseason volleyball win

c/o NCAA

Games Wednesday at Filoil EcoOil Centre

12 noon – Arellano vs San Beda (Men)
2 p.m. – Perpetual vs LPU (Women)

Lyceum survived a four-set duel against Mapua, 25-18 25-23 29-31 26-24, to advance in the stepladder playoff Sunday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.

Zonxi Dahab's go-ahead kill, followed by her third service ace clinched the win for the Lady Pirates, who were making their postseason debut in the event.

Head coach Cromwel Garcia shares, "Actually sobrang laking bagay sa amin kasi sabi nga, nagkaroon na kami ng way. Nabigyan kami ng way na we can...na kaya naming pumasok ng Final Four." He adds, "I think ito na parang ang umpisa ng tuloy-tuloy na progress ng sports development sa amin. Malaking bagay talaga especially sa buong LPU community kasi these girls, na nagpakahirap na nandito na sa biggest stage."

Joan Doguna led the team with 22 points, while Johna Dolorito added fourteen points, nine digs, and eleven receptions. Dahab would finish with thirteen points. Jaja Tulang was the other Lady Pirate in double figures with ten.

Mapua rode on their newcomer Roxie dela Cruz and her twenty points and thirteen digs. Tere Manalo contributed fifteen for the Lady Cardinals.

Earlier, San Beda secured their semifinal berth by defeating Emilio Aguinaldo College in their stepladder playoff, 25-22 25-27 25-16 26-24.

Ralph Cabalsa led the Red Spikers with 24 points, including four blocks, while Kenrod Umali added thirteen points and fourteen receptions.

Leading the Generals in defeat was Joshua Ramilo with his thirteen points and fourteen receptions. while Marvin Romero netted eleven markers.

Action resumes with the semifinal matches on Wednesday at the same venue, with Arellano facing San Beda in the men's division, followed by Perpetual facing Lyceum.

Stepladder set for NCAA volleyball

Games Sunday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre

12 noon – EAC vs San Beda (Men)
2 p.m. – Lyceum vs Mapua (Women)

The postseason for the NCAA Season 98 volleyball tournament is set to commence Sunday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan, with Lyceum and Mapua making their Final Four debuts, the former for the first time since joining the league in 2011, and the latter since they revived the program back in 2009.

The Lady Pirates and the Lady Cardinals will square off in the second game of the double-header at 2pm, with the winner facing the University of Perpetual Help System Dalta on Wednesday in a one-game semifinal at the same venue. Both teams finished the season with a 6-3 record.

Their lone meeting in the regular season took place last February 21, when Lyceum survived a five set marathon, 25-20 16-25 21-25 25-22 15-5.

Before that, the men take to the taraflex, with Emilio Aguinaldo College facing San Beda at noon.

Both finished the season at 6-3, but the Generals survived a five-set marathon against the Red Spikers in the previous meeting, 26-24 25-20 25-27 17-25 15-10.

The winner will face off against Arellano in a one-game semifinal, also on Wednesday.

The stepladder format was invoked due to elimination round 9-0 sweeps by the Altas in the men's division and the College of Saint Benilde Lady Blazers in the women's division, with the best-of-three finals scheduled to take place after the Holy Week break.

All matches will be broadcast LIVE on GTV and streamed on the Facebook and YouTube accounts of GMA Sports and NCAA Philippines.

San Beda, La Salle-Greenhills set for decider

Game today at the San Andres Sports Complex
2:30 p.m. – La Salle-Greenhills vs San Beda

The remaining available finals berth for the NCAA Season 98 HS Basketball Tournament will be decided this afternoon at the San Andres Sports Complex, as La Salle-Greenhills and San Beda fight for the right to face Letran in the title game.

The Greenies forced the do-or-die duel after a 92-79 victory over the Red Cubs this past Monday.

Head coach Ren-Ren Ritualo credited the boys for their performance. He shares, "They never quit. I'm very proud of them. But I keep on telling them it's not yet over."

LSGH will once again ride on Seven Gagate and Luis Pablo in this one, with the former outscoring San Beda by himself in the third period, 15-10.

Hoping for a bounce back performance for the Red Cubs are the duo of Chris Hubilla and John Lopez, who combined for sixty points in the defeat, their first after surviving the gauntlet to determine the postseason seeding.

NCAA Season 98 set for Final Four in HS Basketball

Games today at the San Andres Sports Complex

12 noon – Letran vs Mapua
2:30 p.m. – San Beda vs LSGH

High school basketball gets more intense with the official start of the postseason for the NCAA this afternoon at the San Andres Sports Complex.

The Squires were forced to take a break after completing their eliminations campaign last February 20 with an 8-1 record, as the league needed to sort out the Final Four cast after a quadruple tie to end the regular season. They will face the Red Robins after they locked in their spot as the 4-seed with a 86-75 defeat to San Beda in the gauntlet.

In the process of determining the postseason field, it was the Red Cubs that emerged on top as the second seed, dispatching the Greenies in what turned out to be the unofficial start of their "virtual best-of-three matchup," 83-77. The team of Miko Roldan is filled with confidence after winning all three games in the gauntlet to earn the other twice-to-beat advantage.

The Letran-Mapua matchup is scheduled at noon, followed by the San Beda-LSGH duel at 230pm.

NCAA Season 98 Finals set

c/o NCAA

The finals of the 98th season of the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament is set to commence on Sunday afternoon at the SMART- Araneta Coliseum, with the top two seeds at the end of eliminations set to tangle.

Although the Knights have topped the Blazers in both of their meetings in the eliminations, head coach Bonnie Tan knows that things are different in the bigger stage.

He shared to the media, "Pagtatrabahuhan namin kasi number one team ang Benilde so mindset pa rin namin is nasa dehado side tayo. Excited din kaming makalaban ang CSB sa Finals dahil first time din nila after long years na absent sila sa Finals. Sana mabigyan natin ng magandang laban yung CSB."

The Knights are hoping to become the eighth team to successfully pull off three straight titles, and the first Letran team to do so since 1982-84, when a team led by Samboy Lim earned the feat.

After an undefeated shortened season earlier this year, Letran rode on the leadership of Brent Paraiso, Louie Sangalang, and Fran Yu, overcoming a sluggish 3-3 start to win ten of their last twelve matches in the eliminations, before topping Lyceum in the Final Four.

As for CSB, they bounced back from falling short in the play-in tournament earlier this season by setting a school record with fourteen wins, then overcame San Beda in the Final Four, making their return to the finals after a two-decade absence.

Reflecting on their semifinal matchup, Charles Tiu says, "This was a good test for us, if we can stand our ground, I think maybe we'd have a chance (against the Knights)."

Will Gozum and Miguel Oczon has been taking charge for the Blazers.

The game will be shown on the league's Facebook and YouTube pages, as well as that of GMA Sports. It will be televised on both GMA and GTV.

Game 2 will be next Sunday, also at the SMART-Araneta Coliseum. A potential deciding Game 3 will be played at the Ynares Center in Antipolo if necessary on December 18.

UP sweeps to seal inaugural PIBC crown

Your podium finishers (L-R: UP, PUP, Ateneo, San Beda)

The University of the Philippines made their case for the upcoming UAAP season in badminton, as they clinched the inaugural Philippine Intercollegiate Badminton Championships at the badminton courts of Centro Atletico in Quezon City.

The Fighting Maroons did it in impressive fashion, winning all three matchups to lock in the title over San Beda on Sunday afternoon.

Jason Vanzuela and Michael Clemente secured the tie with a 21-16 21-11 victory over Arjhay Lazareto and Ramon Timothy Santos in men's doubles.

The Maroons shook off errors in the first set before settling things in the second to net the victory.

Kervin Llanes started things off for UP with a 21-13 22-20 triumph in men's singles against Laurence Alejo, with the latter's miscues late costing him the matchup.

In contrast, Anthea Gonzalez dominated her singles matchup against Dana Navarro, sealing the matchup, 21-7 21-7, setting up Vanzuela and Clemente's heroics.

By winning the PIBC, UP took home PhP 50,000, medals, a championship trophy, and Apacs rackets.

Lea Inlayo shares post-competition, "Since marami po kaming freshies medyo nag-aadjust pa kami. Pero hindi naman tumitigil ng support sila Tito Conrado (Co, UP's team manager), at happy po kami na after two years tuluy-tuloy pa rin po kami."

She adds, "Makakatulong po talaga to sa campaign namin (sa UAAP) para maging mas confident kami 'pag dating ng Season 85. Mas nabigyan kami ng boost and pride going into the season."

Completing the rest of the championship side are Susmita Ramos, Enzo Rivera, Jaja Andres, Paul Gonzales, and Althea Rio Fuentespina.

San Beda received PhP 20,000 as the runner-up, while Ateneo and PUP earned PhP 10,000 for finishing as the second-best team in their respective groups.

This tournament is organized by the Philippine Badminton Association, powered by SMART Communications, and supported by the MVP Sports Foundation, Ducksports, Young, and Apacs.

San Beda, PUP, UP sweep in PIBC afternoon session

De Guzman and Abang for PUP

San Beda and PUP are set for a Sunday morning matchup to determine the finalist from Group B in the SMART Philippine Intercollegiate Badminton Championships, after both schools swept their opposition on Saturday afternoon at the Centro Atletico courts in Quezon City.

The Red Lions secured their second win in the tournament against RTU, with the men's doubles tandem of Timothy Santos and Laurence Alejo needed twenty minutes to defeat Bryant Pili and Rowell Pereda, 21-15 21-8.

John Niel Panganiban got things going in men's singles with a 21-4 21-8 win over Louise Anton de Leon, followed by Anniena Cruz's 21-19 21-10 victory in women's singles.

Clinching the sweep for the Mendiola-based squad are Dana Navarro and June Gimena's 21-4 21-4 win over Andrea Pajarillo and Jolina Miranda in women's doubles, followed by Ianah Belen and Kish Laboy's 21-9 21-7 rout against Ada Alfonzo and Adrian Ong in mixed doubles.

For PUP, John Oliver de Guzman and Kevin Abang clinch the tie with a 21-10 21-13 victory in men's doubles against TUP counterparts Allen Benamir and John Emmanuel Balgos.

In Group A, the University of the Philippines kept their record spotless after sweeping Adamson.

Michael Clemente and Paul Gonzales clinched the tie with a 21-15 21-14 win over Gabrielle Hernandez and Noel Ganoy.

The Fighting Maroons can clinch the top spot with a win over the University of Santo Tomas

Ateneo entered the win column with a 4-1 win over UST, as Arthur Salvado ensured the tie belongs to the Blue Eagles with a 21-13 21-10 triumph over Kyle Adiel Basilio.

In addition, Lyndon Laborte and Bryan Bernardo defeated Francis Sarmiento and Lanz Ramirez in men's doubles, 24-22 21-15.

The final group phase matches are scheduled on Sunday at 8 a.m., while the championship tie is scheduled at 1 p.m. between the respective group winners.

The tournament is organized by the Philippine Badminton Association, powered by SMART Communications, and supported by the MVP Sports Foundation, Ducksports, Young, and Apacs.

SMART Philippine Intercollegiate Badminton Championships set this weekend

SMART PIBC Pools

The first-ever SMART Philippine Intercollegiate Badminton Championships will commence this weekend, September 10 and 11, at the courts of Centro Atletico in Quezon City.

Eight institutions from three leagues have been invited, with the field being split into two pools that will face off in the mixed team-tie format.

Pool A is comprised of the four participating UAAP schools: Adamson, the Ateneo de Manila, the University of the Philippines, and the University of Santo Tomas.

Pool B features the lone NCAA participant in San Beda, followed by SCUAA stalwarts Polytechnic University of the Philippines, Rizal Technological University, and Technological University of the Philippines.

Philippine Badminton Association vice president Jude Turcuato shares, "It was a good response from these universities and colleges that they have decided to join this inaugural tournament. We hope that this could build something in the years to come."

Saturday will feature two sets of matchups, with the 8am fixture seeing UP-Ateneo, UST-Adamson in Group A and San Beda-TUP and PUP-RTU, followed by the 1pm fixtures comprised of UP-Adamson, UST-Ateneo, San Beda-RTU, and PUP-TUP.

The final set of preliminary matches will see UP-UST, Ateneo-Adamson, San Beda-PUP, and RTU-TUP on Sunday at 8am.

Teams finishing at the top of their respective pools will face off for the championship at 1pm that day.

The tournament is organized by the Philippine Badminton Association, powered by SMART Communications, and supported by the MVP Sports Foundation, Ducksports, and Apacs.