MANILA, Philippines – Mapua snapped a three-decade-long finals drought in NCAA Season 97 after a thrilling 70-67 win over San Beda in their do-or-die Final Four clash at the San Juan Arena on Wednesday, May 11.

Arvin Gamboa came through down the stretch and finished with 13 points, 13 rebounds, 3 blocks, and 2 assists as the Cardinals advanced to the championship round for the first time since 1991.

Mapua arranged a best-of-three finals date against unbeaten Letran starting on Sunday, May 15, at the same venue.

Gamboa took matters into his own hands late, scoring a tough layup over two Red Lions players with 33 seconds left to give the Cardinals a 68-65 edge.

After Ralph Penuela pulled San Beda within a whisker with a quick bucket, Toby Agustin proved clutch as he restored a three-point Mapua lead by sinking his pressure-packed free throws.

The Red Lions had ample time to forge overtime, but James Kwekuteye missed his potential game-tying triple as San Beda saw its 14 straight finals streak end.

Brian Lacap also posted 13 points for the Cardinals, Paolo Hernandez put up 11 points, while Warren Bonifacio and Adrian Nocum combined for 15 points and 13 rebounds.

While the usual suspects delivered for Mapua, it was Agustin who made sure that his side would not suffer another meltdown after the Red Lions capitalized on the Cardinals’ botched free throws to force a rubber match.

In Game 1, Mapua led 59-58 late in regulation, but a Lacap split from the charity stripe allowed Penuela to force overtime with a putback off a Kwekuteye miss.

San Beda went on to win, 73-67.

Agustin did not crumble under pressure on his lone trip to the free throw line with 6.4 ticks left as he finished with 6 points.

Yukien Andrada paced the Red Lions with 19 points, while Kwekuteye chimed in 11 points, 4 assists, 3 rebounds, and 2 steals.

Bahio fell a point short of a double-double in the loss with 9 points and 15 rebounds.

The Scores

Mapua 70 – Gamboa 13, Lacap 13, Hernandez 11, Bonifacio 8, Nocum 7, Pido 6, Agustin 6, Mercado 6, Salenga 0, Garcia 0.

San Beda 67 – Andrada 19, Kwekuteye 11, Alfaro 11, Bahio 9, Penuela 5, Abuda 3, Cuntapay 2, Cortez 2, Jopia 2, Amsali 2, Ynot 1, Sanchez 0.

Quarters: 9-9, 27-24, 48-49, 70-67

– Rappler.com