00:00 We gotta up our game Anton.
00:01 And by the way, Bo Belga was also featured in the Hottie Cam.
00:06 Alright, now what? Hey, come on.
00:08 I mean...
00:10 I mean, nevermind. He deserves that. That's my guy.
00:13 Second quarter is officially underway as Kamius takes a shot.
00:16 A little bit short. Puno comes up with the board.
00:18 Ray, how was Sanberra able to get back in the game towards the end?
00:23 Obviously, you can see the aggressiveness.
00:25 It all started with their wings and bigs.
00:27 Jomel Puno was able to get them again.
00:29 Was able to pick him up single-handedly.
00:31 And the thing what I liked about it is their aggressiveness consistently.
00:35 Consistently.
00:36 Earlier, we saw the first few minutes of the first,
00:38 they were falling in love with their shots outside.
00:40 But now, they were...
00:42 After that, they were able to adjust by attacking the basket,
00:45 following the plays, and finding other counters to the defense of Mapua.
00:49 So it's also a collective effort by them being more aware where to find the open guy,
00:53 which is inside the pated area or at the perimeter,
00:56 inside beyond the arc, besides beyond the arc.
00:59 Royal.
01:02 Andrada for the lead.
01:04 There it is, the first lead of Sanberra.
01:08 And...
01:11 That person right there is the embodiment of every Sanberra fan right now.
01:16 The type that you tweet with a mood,
01:18 and then you show it to them.
01:21 First lead change, first lead for the fans.
01:26 And Andrada with an emphatic rebound.
01:30 Good tapay.
01:36 This will be big.
01:37 Oh, he decides to drive.
01:38 Cortez, from the corner.
01:40 And Escamiz comes up with the board.
01:43 Escamiz...
01:45 Finds Rosilio.
01:47 Rosilio.
01:49 Asuncion for three.
01:51 Right back at him.
01:52 Mapua reclaims the lead as we go back to Micky Santos for this update on the side of the Red Lions.
01:59 The worst loss for the Kings of the Jungle.
02:01 Now looking back at their matchup against the Cardinals during the first round,
02:04 they told me that the 22-point disadvantage during that round
02:08 definitely served as a wake-up call for this team.
02:11 They were not surprised and shocked by the early explosion of the first round.
02:16 No defensive strategies were made, and the team got into early foul trouble,
02:20 which made it harder for them to bag the win.
02:22 And as I quote Coach Yuri Escueta, "We should have been ready and we should have prepared better."
02:27 So we expect a more ready, well-equipped, and conditioned Lions as their X-Factor.
02:33 Jommel Puno comes in to protect the paint.
02:35 Because in the first round, he didn't show his abilities,
02:39 now they will try to change the course of the match.
02:43 Let's see if the 6-6 guy does make a difference for the team.
02:46 It's Anvetta back to you, Angel Dinazar.
02:48 Jommel Puno has already been the major difference in this game.
02:51 Five points, four rebounds, one assist, and one steal in just six minutes of action.
02:56 As we see, proud daddy, the cool cat, Mike Cortez.
03:01 Normally he sits alone, but I'm surprised that he's surrounded by people right now.
03:07 And I won't be surprised, because if you look at this stadium right now, we're full-packed.
03:10 It's going to be hard to get tickets right now, and this is what I love about weekend basketball for the NCAA,
03:15 because anyone and everyone will be here supporting their teams.
03:18 Cardinals are on the run.
03:20 Rosilio changes his mind on the last minute.
03:24 And it was the right decision, easy basket for him.
03:28 All right, let's get this update on the Papua side with Dexy Gonzalez.
03:35 It's not just a typical point guard, Clint Escamiz,
03:40 but he also scored rebounds and assists.
03:45 I asked him what his motivation was for doing all of this.
03:48 He said it's been 32 years since the Papua team won the championship.
03:53 So if they win the championship this season,
03:56 he hopes to carve his name in the history of Papua.
04:01 Will Clint Escamiz be able to write new history for the Papua Cardinals?
04:06 That's what we want to know, right, Anton and Andre?
04:08 1991, that was season 67.
04:11 So back-to-back titles for Papua, 1990 and 1991.
04:16 That's what they want to bring back.
04:18 But San Pedro wants to bring back the winning tradition as well, and Rada hits a three.
04:23 And what I like about weekend, Rada, yes, I know a while ago I said they're falling in love with their outside shots,
04:28 but what I failed also to see was that the green light they have,
04:31 even if they're missing, they'll still get that confidence to keep on shooting
04:34 because they know they can make those shots.
04:36 And what's great about this is that the coach will always motivate,
04:39 even their players will motivate them just to keep on shooting
04:41 because eventually it's going to come your way.
04:44 And as you were saying that, Clint Escamiz breaks it to double digits, but...
04:49 Wow, what a matchup between the two point guards,
04:52 Clint Escamiz and Jacob Cortez going back and forth.
04:57 Escamiz feeling it.
04:59 Another one!
05:01 Clint Escamiz is on fire!
05:04 (crowd cheering)
05:10 Mapua is back on top, 30 to 27.
05:14 Cortez, cross-court pass.
05:19 Arroyo.
05:21 Arroyo to Puno.
05:23 Puno launches!
05:25 Hopia could not corral the loose ball.
05:30 And Coach Randy Alcantara wants the talk mix over.
05:34 But we'll take a moment to appreciate Jacob Cortez and Clint Escamiz,
05:39 two of the finest point guards in Philippine collegiate basketball,
05:44 going at it in this crucial game with Final Four implications.
05:50 ♪ Hero, Mapua ♪
05:54 ♪ We're gonna rise from the... ♪
05:56 ♪ ♪
06:01 ♪ Look at me now, I'm flying so high ♪
06:05 ♪ I can see the whole world ♪
06:08 ♪ Look at me now, I'm ready for victory ♪
06:13 ♪ It's my time, my turn ♪
06:16 ♪ Hero, Mapua ♪
06:20 ♪ We're gonna rise from the ceiling ♪
06:24 ♪ Hero, Mapua ♪
06:27 ♪ We'll take flight 'cause you're living it ♪
06:31 ♪ Hero, Mapua ♪
06:35 One, and...
06:37 (crowd cheering)
06:39 ♪ ♪
06:45 What more look?
06:47 And it deserves several, actually,
06:50 because this matchup is one that we are enjoying very much.
06:55 Jacob Cortez and Clint Escamiz.
06:58 And what I love about this is that usually we're used to these guys being silent.
07:02 Next thing you know, they're--they're--they're like the players of the game at the end.
07:06 But now, they are already making their presence felt early in the game.
07:10 So this matchup is really good.
07:12 Both of them are being aggressive and also getting their teammates involved.
07:16 Hey.
07:18 Cyrus Cuenco.
07:20 Look at Escamiz cutting underneath.
07:24 Everybody forgetting that Cuenco can put the ball on the floor.
07:28 And look at Escamiz celebrate his teammate's success.
07:31 That's what you like to see.
07:33 Usually, if you want to be the guy to do it for your team,
07:36 but it's nice to see it's a collective effort.
07:38 You want everyone to achieve. You want everyone to do well.
07:40 And that's a great way of being a leader.
07:43 Oh, a collision here.
07:47 Jacob Cortez hitting the deck.
07:50 Kobe Dalisay.
07:52 Tough assignment.
07:58 Actually, excuse me.
08:00 That's Micky Morenos, a rookie.
08:05 Tough assignment for him.
08:07 Cortez is watching.
08:09 And correct me if I'm wrong.
08:11 For the first time in this game, we've seen a sticky defense on Cortez.
08:16 Because look at how he's having a hard time getting the ball
08:19 because of the defense of Mapua.
08:22 Cortez had to take a shot from way beyond the 3.9.
08:27 And that's because of the defense of Micky Morenos.
08:33 Cuenco, Bonifacio catch and shoot short.
08:37 And Cortez picks up the loose ball.
08:40 Jacob on the move.
08:42 A steal by Escamiz.
08:43 That's his third steal in this game.
08:49 The king of steals in the NCAA.
08:53 Glyn Escamiz is also the number one scorer in the NCAA as of the moment.
09:00 And Soriano, wow, missing from his favorite spot.
09:04 And compared to San Beto, yes, we can see San Beto,
09:06 their bigs are open or sometimes open inside the painted area.
09:09 With Mapua, it's rare to see because we can see their difference on defense.
09:14 And you can see that San Beto is doing well defending the painted area against Mapua.
09:19 Mopia ran into a brick wall, could not finish.
09:23 And Escamiz will slow the pace down for a bit.
09:33 Cuenco, shovel pass.
09:35 Soriano, too tight.
09:40 Too tight of a pass, like a joker.
09:43 And we know Mapua, they're very unselfish.
09:46 Compared to their last game, they had a lot of assists.
09:48 And I know they want to translate in today's game.
09:50 But sometimes being too unselfish can lead to errors.
09:53 So if you're open already, you might as well take that shot.
09:55 Because it's nice there, you already have the green light by your team and your coach.
10:00 6.8 for the Cardinals.
10:04 Alfaro, Cortez now on the bench.
10:09 Andrada on the move, Andrada smothered.
10:12 Escamiz on the fast break, a familiar sight for the Mapua Cardinals.
10:18 And good things happen every time Nick Escamiz is on the break.
10:24 You can already expect he can make those shots from outside the perimeter
10:29 or he can also attack the basket.
10:31 In this case, when it's a fast break, best believe he's going to attack the basket.
10:34 If he defended well, he has a double team, he'll be able to find another open man.
10:39 You know, interestingly, Clint Escamiz started his basketball journey in San Benna.
10:47 San Benna University, he's a second-grade student.
10:52 And then he was there for four years before trying out for La Salzobel.
10:57 San Benna High School in Taytay and Mapua.
11:01 He didn't get it from La Salzobel and San Benna in Taytay.
11:05 Mapua got it from him.
11:07 Wow.
11:08 So in other words, his loyalty was with Mapua at that time.
11:13 And of course, coming back here to NCA, to Seniors, what a way for him to repay at the same time.
11:19 You know, give another chance to the guy.
11:24 James Payosing, oh, wanting a clear out.
11:27 The sophomore, James Payosing.
11:29 Nowhere to go.
11:33 Throws the ball back out.
11:34 Wow, switching hands in the air.
11:36 Everything but the shot.
11:37 Chumel Puna short on the putback.
11:40 You can see, there are only a few white shirts at that point.
11:44 Because I know I'm redundant when I say this.
11:46 You really have to enter the painted area and box out.
11:50 It's important to get those rebounds.
11:54 Cuenco against Alfaro.
11:57 Cuenco, given to Warren.
11:59 Warren, good defense by Andrada.
12:02 That's a good stop by San Benna.
12:04 Beautiful defense indeed.
12:06 Because knowing that once Warren gets the basket, yes, he can also attack or post up.
12:10 But it's good to see that San Benna is aware and also defending the man that they're assigned to.
12:19 8-point lead for the Cardinals.
12:21 Payosing.
12:23 Oh wow, I'm surprised.
12:26 No traveling there because he literally slid.
12:30 It looked like knowing Payosing, I think he was looking for contact and driving the basket.
12:34 But so happens, the help was late.
12:36 So he got patted or he fell.
12:37 So let's see what's called here.
12:39 Because he literally slid, his back slid on the floor.
12:43 But he got patted.
12:46 But isn't that traveling?
12:47 It could be or possibly yes.
12:49 Because in other words, he was expecting the other defense to help to get body contact.
12:54 But the defense was late, which resulted in him falling.
12:57 So it's a turnover.
12:59 That's why the ball went to the floor.
13:01 Hernandez looking up at the clock.
13:05 Hernandez backing down Cortez, throws it out.
13:07 Escamiz, not that time.
13:10 Escamiz seems to know when his shot is off, he chases his own shot.
13:15 And that's a good sight to see.
13:17 But the thing is, if you're confident, you wouldn't want to be doing that.
13:19 But it's also good to see him making those shots as well.
13:22 If he knows where the sight and flight of the ball is.
13:25 So if you're defending Escamiz, you really have to put a body on him.
13:29 After you close out, make sure you box out.
13:31 Because best believe it's rare to see someone getting their shots after that.
13:34 Meanwhile, Coach Yuri Escueta calls a timeout.
13:38 We'll take a break.
13:39 Back with more NCAA Season 99 after a few.
13:42 [MUSIC]
13:53 Basketball heroes are made every year.
13:56 And the NCAA always gives rise to new heroes of the game.
14:00 In fact, the NCAA has produced its share of basketball legends and modern day basketball heroes.
14:05 And now that NCAA Season 99 has begun,
14:08 GMA Sports is honored to feature 10 new heroes that all basketball fans should look forward to.
14:14 First on the list is Kurt.
14:16 [MUSIC]
14:22 Back to the coverage.
14:24 NCAA Season 99 new heroes of the game.
14:27 Andre, give us a little preview of what's going to happen at the half if we feature the "Bolahan" Mapua Edition.
14:33 What's going to happen?
14:34 What's going to happen? -Bolahan!
14:36 This is going to be very, obviously different.
14:38 Dad and I wanted to do something different with the team.
14:40 So it's more of obviously, "Kulitan."
14:42 "Tawanan."
14:43 That's it.
14:44 Because I know if we're talking about basketball, it's here, the games, halftime reports, game on,
14:48 which you guys do amazingly effortlessly.
14:51 So we want to look at more of the lighter side of things.
14:55 So I'm actually excited to see what they put on.
14:57 Because I know we have like three or five minutes for that.
15:00 But we interviewed these guys for 10 or more minutes.
15:02 So I'm excited to see the good parts, to see how we get to know more of the Mapua Bargains.
15:07 So, yeah, let's wait for that.
15:09 "Bolahan" with Benji and Andre Paras coming up at the half.
15:14 [MUSIC]
15:17 Seven seconds on the shot clock.
15:19 Jacob Cortez from the right wing.
15:22 Jacob Cortez with a three-point bomb.
15:25 [MUSIC]
15:29 Big time basket for Cortez.
15:33 [MUSIC]
15:39 Rosilio.
15:40 Bonifacio.
15:42 Bonifacio, given to Asuncion.
15:45 Asuncion on the drive.
15:47 A difficult pass.
15:48 The ball was kicked by the batter.
15:50 The ball will stay in the field.
15:52 [MUSIC]
15:57 Here's that Jacob Cortez triple.
16:02 Oh, knockout play.
16:03 Bonifacio.
16:07 Those are the plays that hurt because you fall asleep for a second on defense.
16:13 And the player is right there in prime position to score.
16:16 And you're more focused on the guard or the inbounder.
16:18 Usually, if the inbounder is a guard, they basically will return the ball.
16:22 But knowing that there's another big cutting and rolling,
16:25 you can't really see that if you're the defender.
16:28 [MUSIC]
16:32 It's a foul on Joe Melpuno.
16:34 It hit the face of Warren Bonifacio.
16:38 And you see the urgency of the San Pedro side.
16:42 And we have some players waiting at the wings.
16:44 Orsy Kalibag and Richie Kalibag, B-B for San Pedro.
16:51 [MUSIC]
16:57 Escambes, fade away.
16:59 [MUSIC]
17:05 Royal, Dutagle.
17:10 Andrada for three.
17:13 And you can -- these threes are getting San Pedro back into the game.
17:20 And speaking of being consistent offensively,
17:22 going to rebounds, San Pedro is already 27 rebounds in while Mapua is 12.
17:29 So it's good to see that San Pedro is being aggressive once again.
17:34 Escambes, the ankle breaker on Joe Melpuno.
17:37 And then he finds Asuncion who had to.
17:41 He had to knock down the triple.
17:45 Oh, what a move by Tata, switching hands in midair for the lefty finish.
17:50 [MUSIC]
17:56 Hernandez wants to back down Cortez.
17:59 No look pass across Cortez and Asuncion.
18:02 And the length of Joe Melpuno, his wingspan, knocking that ball away.
18:10 But it will stay with Mapua.
18:16 Rosilio.
18:20 Handoff by Hernandez.
18:23 And an interception by Cortez.
18:26 Cortez saves the basketball.
18:30 Oh, Cortez has to shoot.
18:34 Cortez has time.
18:35 Cortez lets it fly.
18:37 My--oh, my!
18:41 -Wow! -Thank you!
18:43 (cheering)
18:46 What a finish to the first half.
18:50 Jacob Cortez, the King Lion, throws up a prayer.
18:57 ♪
19:01 As it throws it up to the heavens.
19:04 And it is answered.
19:07 Jacob Cortez cuts the Mapua lead to two.
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