Cortez delivers in clutch as San Beda forces Game 3

Jacob Cortez went berserk and delivered in crunch time anew, powering San Beda past Mapua, 71-65, to force a do-or-die Game 3 in the NCAA Season 99 men’s basketball tournament on Sunday, Dec. 10 at Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

Cortez fired 21 points, highlighted by his booming triple with three minutes remaining while also dishing out an assist to Yukien Andradra who sank his own shot from beyond the arc to put themselves ahead, 70-61.

Those long bombs were enough to silence the Mapuan fans who were hoping to see the Cardinals hoist the trophy and end a three-decade title drought, and also served as a spoiler to the coronation of Clint Escamis who was named the Rookie of the Year and Most Valuable Player.

San Beda head coach Yuri Escueta was thrilled to see his wards recover from the numerous times they have faced elimination this season.

“Todo na ito, we’ve been in this situation before not just one time, like six or five times before na nangyari satin ‘to and the only thing that we told to ourselves is wag sumuko,” Escueta said.

“So nakita ko sa kanila [kung gaano sila ka-intense], ako nahawa sa intensity and eagerness nila na not to give up,” he added.

Totally composed in front of a mammoth crowd of 22,465, Cortez was a figure of resilience as the Red Lions entered the fourth frame on the back seat.

San Beda was actually ahead, 42-27, in the first half behind the big baskets from Cortez, Cliff Jopia and Jomel Puno.

But the Cardinals mounted a fightback as JC Recto and Jopet Soriano, who finished with 10 points, carried the load in the third quarter before Escamis and Hernandez hit timely shots to slowly trim the lead and eventually seize command with a 19-6 run.

But Cortez was unfazed, orchestrating the offense for San Beda which set up a sudden death on Dec. 17 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum

Escamis wound up with 15 points while Recto and Hernandez had 14 and 13, respectively, in losing efforts.

The Scores

SAN BEDA 71– Cortez 21, Puno 9, Andrada 9, Jopia 8, Alfaro 7, Royo 6, Cuntapay 5, Payosing 4, Tagle 2, Gonzales 0, Visser 0

MAPUA 65– Escamis 15, Recto 14, Hernandez 13, Soriano 10, Cuenco 5, Rosillo 5, Bonifacio 3, Asuncion 0, Dalisay 0, Bancale 0

Quarterscores: 20-19; 42-30; 48-53; 71-65