Game today:

(Mall of Asia Arena)

2 p.m. — Mapua vs San Beda

After 32 years, Mapua University and San Beda University will clash for the National Collegiate Athletic Association men's basketball title.

Expect drama and intensity to soar as the Cardinals and the Red Lions rekindle their rivalry in Game 1 of their Season 99 best-of-three finals showdown at 2 p.m. today at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

There is no doubt that both teams are hungry for the title.

After getting swept in the Season 97 finals by Letran College and outright missing out on the Final Four in Season 98 last year, Mapua looked poised to reclaim the crown it last held in 1991 after finishing the elimination round with a 15-3 win-loss record.

Backed by veterans Paolo Hernandez, Warren Bonifacio and Season 99 Rookie of the Year and Most Valuable Player frontrunner Clint Escamis, the Cardinals used their twice-to-beat advantage in their Final Four against College of Saint Benilde, 78-67, last 28 November to book a return trip to the finals.

Now, Mapua has a chance to win its seventh crown and repeat history, beating San Beda just like how former collegiate cagers Benny Cheng, Chito Victolero and Randy Alcantara did in 1991.

Alcantara, now the current Mapua head coach, said they have to stay calm against the resurgent San Beda side if they want to take a 1-0 lead.

In their elimination round encounters, Mapua gained the upper hand via a 75-57 win on 29 September and a 71-69 victory on 12 November to secure a psychological advantage in this championship duel.

"We have to avoid miscommunications and our energy dropping that results in turnovers," Alcantara said, wary of the dangerous Red Lions, whose bench crew include multi-titled coaches Norman Black and Boyet Fernandez under young mentor Yuri Escueta.

"It will be which team will be more composed. We're going to be up against a different San Beda team after they won six straight games. Their players gained a lot of confidence."

On the other hand, the Red Lions were in survival mode getting into the Final Four as they had to win their last four games in the elimination round to advance as a third seed with a 12-6 win-loss record.

Facing a twice-to-beat disadvantage against Lyceum of the Philippines University, the core of Jacob Cortez, James Payosing, Jomel Puno, Peter Alfaro and Yukien Andrada pulled off back-to-back wins, 89-68 and 82-72, to help San Beda make a return to the finals for the first time since 2019.

Escueta said they have to employ their stifling defense to push the Cardinals out of their comfort zone.

"We have to be tough come Game 1. We have to be ready to defend since it has been our calling card all season — not just individually but team defense as well," Escueta said, adding that they will go all out to win their trophy No. 23. The last time the Red Lions raised the crown was in 2018 with future professional stars like Robert Bolick, AC Soberano and Calvin Oftana at the helm.

"It a big deal to have both of them. They won multiple times. Whatever decisions we talk about, they give their input."