Before San Beda University stepped on the floor of Mall of Asia Arena for its do-or-die match against Mapua University on Sunday, Jacob Cortez made a promise not to lose.
After two hours of cardiac match highlighted by a number of runs and clutch shots, the third year ace was able to honor his words by coming alive late to steer the Red Lions to a 71-65 Game 2 win.
The third year guard first sank a basket and drew the foul to cut their deficit to two, 56-58, just before the halfway mark of the fourth before he caught fire from beyond the arc. He knocked down back-to-back triples for a 67-61 lead while also rubbing off his luck on teammate Yukien Andrada, whose own three-pointer sent them to a 70-63 cushion with 2:15 left.
That proved to be the turnaround for the Red Lions, who were once holding a 15-point lead before the Cardinals caught up in the third.
"You know he's special," said San Beda head coach Yuri Escueta. "That kid is special and he doesn't want to lose. He told me that before the ballgame."
However, it wasn't just Cortez who badly wanted to win the game.
Rookie Jomel Puno stepped up with nine points, five rebounds, and one assist while the likes of Andrada, Clifford Jopia, and Peter Alfaro provided the huge help.
James Payosing, who starred with 14 points last game, made his presence felt on the defense with 10 rebounds on top of four points and one dime while rookie AJ Royo chipped in six markers, three rebounds, and three assists on a rare starting role.
"Actually, lahat sila. Peter, si James Payosing, sina Yuki. Nakita ko sa mga mata nila, hindi sila magpapatalo ngayon," the sophomore coach added.
"Iba ang mga tapik nila sa akin ngayon, mga tingin nila ngayon."
(Actually, all of them. Peter, James Payosing, Yuki. I saw them in their eyes, they did not want to lose. Their pats and eyes were different.)
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
