The NCAA Season 101 Men’s Basketball Tournament featured three unforgettable matchups from November 4 to 5 at the historic Rizal Memorial Coliseum.
Here’s a recap of the final games of the Crossover Elimination Round between Groups A and B.
Season 99 Finals Rematch Now Won by the CSB Blazers
The Blazers opened the game with an explosive 18–0 run, led by graduating guard Tony Ynot, who immediately set the tone with three consecutive three-pointers.
Ynot scored 11 of Benilde’s first 18 points, putting the Cardinals on the back foot early. Despite the strong start, Mapua fought back in the second half behind the efforts of Clint Escamis and rookies Earl Sapasap and Sebastian Reyes, stringing together a 14–5 burst in the third quarter to close the gap to just three, 50–53.
Cyril Gonzales followed it up with back-to-back baskets to make it a one-point game, 54–55, before Ynot stepped up once again to stop the bleeding, draining five straight points to restore control for Benilde.
The Blazers ended the third quarter ahead, 64–58.
Mapua attempted to rally anew in the final frame, with Yam Concepcion converting three free throws off successive fouls to trim the lead to 61–64. But the Blazers countered immediately as Ynot and Joshua Cajucom completed separate three-point plays to widen the gap to nine, 70–61, with just under four minutes left.
That proved to be the finishing blow, as CSB Blazers weathered the Cardinals’ late push to secure the win.
FINAL SCORE: College of Saint Benilde 75 – 65 Mapúa University
Ynot delivered his best performance of the season, tallying 25 points on 5-of-9 shooting from beyond the arc, along with eight rebounds, three assists, and one steal.
Allen Liwag also chipped in with 12 points and 10 boards, though he sat out the entire fourth quarter after sustaining a shoulder injury.
For Mapua, Cyrus Cuenco and Earl Sapasap led the charge with 14 and 13 points, respectively, while Escamis struggled to find his rhythm, hitting only three of his 10 shots to finish with 11 markers.
The defending champions, the Cardinals, have now dropped four of their last five contests.
With the victory, the Blazers improved to 6–3 in Group B, while the Cardinals dropped to 4–5 in Group A.
Joshua Moralejo of Lyceum Gets the Upset Win Against San Beda
Graduating Point Guard of the Lyceum of the Philippines University, Joshua Moralejo, came up clutch against the heavily favored San Beda University for the second game last November 4.
In the final minutes, Moralejo drilled three straight triples before capping his performance with a driving layup that sealed the victory and handed the Red Lions their second consecutive loss.
The veteran guard delivered in the clutch, erupting for 24 points and scoring the Pirates’ final 11 markers, highlighted by three consecutive long-range bombs that sank San Beda University and lifted Lyceum to a stunning upset victory.
FINAL SCORE: Lyceum of the Philippines University 78 – 66 San Beda University
Moralejo’s heroics not only secured a much-needed win but also gave the Pirates a fighting chance to stay in contention, improving their record to 2–7 and creating a two-way tie for fourth place in Group A with San Sebastian College–Recoletos.
But beyond the numbers, his late surge served as an emotional lifeline for the entire LPU community, reminding everyone that their season is far from over.
For much of the season, it was Renz Villegas and John Barba who carried the Pirates’ offensive load, averaging 16.5 and 16.14 points per game, respectively. But this time, it was Moralejo’s turn to take center stage with a remarkable fourth-quarter outburst that shifted the momentum in Lyceum’s favor.
With renewed confidence and momentum, Moralejo and the rest of the Pirates are now hoping that their statement win over perennial contender San Beda Red Lions will serve as the spark that turns their season around.
Ivan Panapanaan Hits the Game Winner for the Heavy Bombers
To round up the games at RMC, on November 5, the Jose Rizal University battled the Arellano University, which was the last game for the Group A vs B elimination round.
With the game tied at 77 and only 19 seconds left, Arellano’s Maverick Vinoya had a chance to deliver the win but came up short. Allan Laurenaria secured the rebound, and the loose ball found its way to Sean Salvador, who spotted Panapanaan streaking to the basket for the decisive layup with just one second remaining.
FINAL SCORE: Arellano University 77 – 79 Jose Rizal University
Panapanaan later revealed that he was already cramping when he made the crucial shot.
“Tendency ko na lang, makuha ‘yung rebound, tatakbo na ako kasi kita ko ‘yung oras, paubos na rin. ‘Yon, buti na lang nakita ako ni [Sean] Salvador para ipasa sa akin. ‘Yung pagtira ko na ‘yon, naramdaman ko ‘yung pulikat ko,” Panapanaan said.
“Kaya medyo binato ko na lang din eh, kasi alam kong oras na rin. Buti na lang, sumakto sa oras.”
The moment was made even more meaningful as it came against his former high school team.
“’Yon ‘yung pinakagusto ko eh — lalo na ako ‘yung nakapag-shoot sa dulo para ipanalo, at laban pa sa dati kong school.”
Though Panapanaan finished with only four points, his final basket turned out to be the game’s biggest.
“Nabanggit ko naman sa kanila, whatever happens, babalik at babalik sa amin ‘yung bola,” said JRU head coach Nani Epondulan.
“Actually, hindi na coach ‘yun — sa players na ‘yun.”
Shawn Argente led the Heavy Bombers with a game-high 21 points, while Salvador added 19. Laurenaria contributed 12, and Stephen Garupil chipped in 10.
On the other side, Joseph Hernal nearly posted a double-double for Arellano with 17 points and nine rebounds, while T-Mc Ongotan added nine points and 11 boards. Renzo Abiera and Ernjay Geronimo also had solid performances with 15 and 14 points, respectively.
The victory improved Heavy Bombers’ record to 5–4, while Arellano Chiefs dropped to 3–6 to close the crossover phase of the elimination round.
