Mapua University and De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde — these two teams are hoping to end their decades-long title drought in NCAA Season 100.
While much has been said about the historical significance of this match up, these are some of the numbers that may help in shedding light on the upcoming finals.
33
The Cardinals last won the NCAA men's basketball title in 1991 which is already 33 years ago.
Mapua also entered the Season 100 finals as Clint Escamis erupted for 33 points, a new career-high, during their game against Lyceum of the Philippines in the Final Four.
24
The year 2000 saw De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde win their first title in the league and it has been 24 years since that moment.
24 years ago, three Blazers were also born: Tony Ynot, Gab Cometa, and Matthew Oli.
75-73
Mapua defeated Benilde, 75-73, in their second round match last November 10.
The Blazers led by 20, 54-34, before the Cardinals claimed the lead late in the game and sealed the win, thanks to Escamis' three-pointer.
While Benilde had more rebounds, 45-30, Mapua had more points off turnovers (24-3), perimeter points (39-29), and fastbreak points (11-6).
Beyond that, what could have been crucial for this game was Benilde's free throw shooting. Benilde missed four out of 18 attempts which could have given them the game.
78-65
Benilde got the upper hand against Mapua in the first round, 78-65.
Allen Liwag and Gab Cometa combined for 40 of the Blazers' output, with the former having 23 points.
Crucial here was Mapua's fourth quarter performance as the Cardinals only had ten points against Benilde's 23 points. Escamis was also the lone double digit scorer for Mapua with 16 points then.
10
Mapua is running on a 10-game streak, having swept the second round and defeated the Pirates in the Final Four.
49.72
Benilde tops the rebounding department with 49.72 rebounds per game at the end of the elimination round, with Liwag leading the Blazers in that category with 11.28.
Mapua, meanwhile, has 44.0 rebounds per game. Watch out for Chris Hubilla who has 6.33 boards per game.
Will these numbers matter in the finals? Watch as the two teams go up for the centennial season title.
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
