IN a seesaw battle where a long-cherished goal was at stake, Mapua University proved it wanted it more against hard-fighting San Beda University yesterday.
The Cardinals edged the Red Lions 70-67 in their knockout duel to reach the finals of the 97th NCAA basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan.
Toby Agustin canned two pressure-packed free throws that gave Mapua a 70-67 cushion with 6.0 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter.
James Kwekuteye missed on a triple try that could have forced overtime in the dying seconds that sealed the Cards’ triumph.
Arvin Gamboa scattered 13 points, grabbed 10 rebounds, and issued two assists for Mapua, while Brian Lacap chipped in 13 markers on two three-pointers, and two boards.
Paolo Hernandez also had 11 and two for the No. 2 Cards, who advanced to the Big Dance for the first time in 31 years after a Benny Cheng buzzer-beater enabled them to win back-to-back crowns in 1991.
Mapua will clash with defending champion and No. 1 Letran.
With the numbing loss, third seed San Beda failed to make it to the finals for the first time since 2005.
Game 1 of the best-of-three finals will be on Sunday at the same venue.
The Cards made up for their 67-73 overtime defeat last Sunday.
Mapua coach Randy Alcantara dedicated their victory to all the people supporting them.
“Masayang-masaya. Para sa lahat ito ng mga taong sumusuporta sa team namin,” Alcantara, who suited up for the Intramuros-based five’s last title squad, said.
Mapua led 27-24 at the half but trailed 48-49 going into the payoff period.
Yukien Andrada paced the Lions with a career-high 19 points, while Kwekuteye and Peter Alfaro had 11 apiece.
