Tag: NCAA
NCAA: Warren Bonifacio rues dealing with injury in Mapua finals loss
Mapua big man Warren Bonifacio.–NCAA PHOTO MANILA, Philippines—Mapua forward Warren Bonifacio lamented not being able to play true to form in the Cardinals’ NCAA Season 99 men’s basketball Finals loss against San Beda. Bonifacio, one of Mapua’s key cogs in its Finals run, revealed he played through an ankle injury from the second round of…
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After a five-year wait, Lions reclaim old NCAA throne and are roaring louder than before
The Lions and their supporters celebrate on the flfloor after the fifinal buzzer. —PHOTOS BY AUGUST DELA CRUZ Jacob Cortez slowly went up the ladder, cut down the net and wore it around his neck as a decorative badge of honor. Without any individual awards this season, the crafty point guard will value that piece…
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Mike Cortez turns emotional as son Jacob wins NCAA title with San Beda
Jacob Cortez hugs his family including father Mike Cortez as San Beda wins NCAA title. –NCAA PHOTO MANILA, Philippines—When the buzzer sounded to signal San Beda’s successful return atop the NCAA mountain, there was not a dry eye in the sea of red at Araneta Coliseum on Sunday. Not even Mike Cortez, who’s usually very…
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Sense of urgency high as Cardinals eye end to three-decade wait for NCAA crown
It’s going to be anybody’s ballgame come Sunday when San Beda (in white) and Mapua play for all the marbles. —AUGUST DELA CRUZ It’s Mapua vs San Beda. It’s for all the marbles. And it boils down to this one game. The Cardinals know exactly what to expect. “This will be another fierce battle,’’ said…
Read More Cardinals to forge pressure-laden winner-take-all match for NCAA title
It’s going to be anybody’s ballgame come Sunday when San Beda (in white) and Mapua play for all the marbles. —AUGUST DELA CRUZ Despite a formidable cast of players, San Beda received no individual accolades for the season, and yet the Red Lions fought ferociously to now be in a position to win it all.…
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NCAA: Benilde beats Lyceum in battle for third
CSB guard Robi Nayve during the battle for third place against Lyceum in the NCAA Season 99.–NCAA PHOTO MANILA, Philippines—Robi Nayve and Miguel Corteza saved their best for last as College of St. Benilde settled for third place with a 93-83 win over Lyceum on Sunday in NCAA Season 99 at Mall of Asia Arena.…
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Mapua takes roar out of San Beda to move within a win of NCAA crown
Mapua Cardinals in the NCAA Finals. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net One victory away from regaining the NCAA men’s basketball title they have chased for more than three decades, the Mapua Cardinals know the type of killer instinct they need to finish off the San Beda Lions. “This is my final year, so we need to be hungry…
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Cardinals, Lions open NCAA title series
Clint-Escamis Clint Escamis arrived at the Mapua training facility before the season began and was greeted with open arms by the entire team, especially marksman Paolo Hernandez and center Warren Bonifacio. The trio led the Mapua Red Robins to a pair of championships several years back in the high school division and now have a…
Read More It’s Mapua’s time to win NCAA title, believes former ace Adrian Nocum
Mapua Cardinals.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net MANILA, Philippines—Rain or Shine’s Adrian Nocum had all the reasons in the world to smile on Saturday. Considering that the rookie was hailed as the best player of the game in the Elasto Painters’ first win in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup over Blackwater, 115-110, Nocum’s smile spanned from ear-to-ear. But he wasn’t…
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NCAA: ‘No regrets’ for graduating Enoch Valdez despite Final Four exit
Enoch Valdez.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net MANILA, Philippines—Enoch Valdez could’ve had a grand exit for Lyceum after being the anchor of the squad for several years. But a loss to San Beda in the NCAA Season 99 Final Four abruptly halted his collegiate career, denying the Pirates a trip to the finals. Still, Valdez said he has no…
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