NCAA Season 98 basketball tournaments
Basketball season
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The NCAA Season 98 basketball tournaments are the basketball tournaments of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (Philippines) for its 2022–23 season. Emilio Aguinaldo College hosted the tournaments for the first time.
- Smart Araneta Coliseum (Games 1 & 2)
- Ynares Center (Game 3)
| "Achieve Greatness Every Day" | ||||||||||||||||
| Host school | Emilio Aguinaldo College | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Duration | December 4–18, 2022 | |||||||||||||||
| Arena(s) |
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| Finals MVP | King Caralipio | |||||||||||||||
| Winning coach | Bonnie Tan (3rd title) | |||||||||||||||
| Semifinalists | ||||||||||||||||
| TV network(s) | GMA, GTV | |||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||
| Duration | March 13–16, 2023 | |||||||||||||||
| Arena(s) | San Andres Sports Complex | |||||||||||||||
| Finals MVP | Andy Gemao | |||||||||||||||
| Winning coach | Allen Ricardo (1st title) | |||||||||||||||
| Semifinalists | ||||||||||||||||
| TV network(s) | GTV | |||||||||||||||
The men's tournament was held in September 2022, just over three months after Season 97 ended. The juniors' tournament began in February 2023, the first tournament since Season 95, and the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Letran Knights and Squires won their respective tournaments, winning the first double championship for Letran since 1983.[1]
In the men's tournament, the Benilde Blazers finished first, and defeated the #4 seed San Beda Red Lions in the semifinals. Letran, which finished second, also defeated #3 seed Lyceum Pirates on the other semifinal. Letran defeated Benilde in three games to win their third consecutive title.
In the juniors' tournament, the Letran Squires finished first, with LSGH, Malayan, San Beda and San Sebastian finishing tied from second to fifth. After a series of playoff games, Letran defeated #4 seed Malayan Red Robins, while #2 San Beda Red Cubs lost all of its semifinal games against #3 seed LSGH Greenies. Letran defeated LSGH in two games in the Finals, to win their first title since 2001.
Tournament format
After COVID restrictions limited the elimination round to a single round-robin with the introduction of a play-in tournament in the previous season, Season 98 returned to a double round-robin eliminations for the men's tournament.[2]
Former UAAP basketball commissioner Tonichi Pujante is this season's commissioner.[3]
Just like in Season 97, game days are on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.[4]
For the juniors' tournament, it is a single round-robin tournament.[5]
Teams
All ten schools are participating.
| Team | College | Men's coach[6] |
|---|---|---|
| Arellano Chiefs | Arellano University (AU) | |
| Letran Knights | Colegio de San Juan de Letran (CSJL) | |
| Benilde Blazers | De La Salle–College of Saint Benilde (CSB) | |
| EAC Generals | Emilio Aguinaldo College (EAC) | |
| JRU Heavy Bombers | José Rizal University (JRU) | |
| Lyceum Pirates | Lyceum of the Philippines University (LPU) | |
| Mapúa Cardinals | Mapúa University (MU) | |
| San Beda Red Lions | San Beda University (SBU) | |
| San Sebastian Stags | San Sebastian College – Recoletos (SSC-R) | |
| Perpetual Altas | University of Perpetual Help System DALTA (UPHSD) |
| Team | High school | Juniors' coach |
|---|---|---|
| Arellano Braves | Arellano University High School (AU) | |
| Letran Squires | Colegio de San Juan de Letran (CSJL) | |
| EAC-ICA Brigadiers | Immaculate Conception Academy (ICA) | |
| JRU Light Bombers | José Rizal University (JRU) | |
| La Salle Green Hills Greenies | La Salle Green Hills (LSGH) | |
| Lyceum Junior Pirates | Lyceum of the Philippines University – Cavite (LPU–C) | |
| Mapúa Red Robins | Malayan High School of Science (MHSS) | |
| San Beda Red Cubs | San Beda University – Rizal (SBU–R) | |
| San Sebastian Staglets | San Sebastian College – Recoletos (SSC–R) | |
| Perpetual Junior Altas | University of Perpetual Help System DALTA (UPHSD) |
Coaching changes
| Team | Outgoing coach | Manner of departure | Date | Replaced by | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lyceum Junior Pirates | Mutual consent | November 2019 | |||
| La Salle Green Hills Greenies | Mutual consent | March 28, 2019[8] | March 30, 2019[7] | ||
| Perpetual Junior Altas | Signed with Perpetual Altas | December 2, 2020[9] | December 2, 2020[10] | ||
| San Beda Red Lions | Demoted | July 26, 2022[11] | July 27, 2022[12] | ||
| La Salle Green Hills Greenies | Fired | June 15, 2022 | July 29, 2022[13] | ||
| San Beda Red Cubs | Fired | October 28, 2022[14] | January 12, 2023[15] | ||
| San Sebastian Staglets | Fired | December 15, 2022 | January 6, 2023 |
Venues
For the men's tournament, Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City hosted the opening day, while Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan hosted the remainder of the elimination round.[16] Filoil EcoOil Centre hosted the semifinals,[17] while the NCAA returned to the Araneta Coliseum for the first two games of the Finals.[18] Game 3 of the Finals was held at the Ynares Center in Antipolo, Rizal.[19]
For the juniors' tournament, the Emilio Aguinaldo College Gym in Manila hosted the elimination round,[5] except for the final gameday, which was held at the nearby San Andres Sports Complex,[20] which then hosted all of the playoff games.
| Arena | Location | Tournament | Capacity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Men | Jrs | |||
| Araneta Coliseum | Quezon City | 14,429 | ||
| Emilio Aguinaldo College Gym | Manila | 250 | ||
| Filoil EcoOil Centre | San Juan | 6,000 | ||
| San Andres Sports Complex | Manila | 3,000 | ||
| Ynares Center | Antipolo, Rizal | 7,400 | ||
Squads
Each team can have up to 15 players on their roster, with an additional up to three players in the injured reserve list.[21]
The ban of foreign student-athletes first applied in Season 96 (2020) is still in effect, requiring all players to be Filipinos.[22]
Men's tournament
The traditional champion vs. season host opening game on September 10 was scrapped when four Letran Knights players contracted COVID-19; replacing that match-up is season hosts EAC going up against the Arellano Chiefs; the host vs. champion game will instead be the final game of the first round.[3] (Subsequent postponements have made this not the final game of the first round.)
Elimination round
Team standings
| Pos | Team | W | L | PCT | GB | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 14 | 4 | .778 | — | Twice-to-beat in the semifinals | |
| 2 | 13 | 5 | .722 | 1 | ||
| 3 | 12 | 6 | .667[a] | 2 | Twice-to-win in the semifinals | |
| 4 | 12 | 6 | .667[a] | 2 | ||
| 5 | 8 | 10 | .444 | 6 | ||
| 6 | 7 | 11 | .389[b] | 7 | ||
| 7 | 7 | 11 | .389[b] | 7 | ||
| 8 | 7 | 11 | .389[b] | 7 | ||
| 9 | 7 | 11 | .389[b] | 7 | ||
| 10 | 3 | 15 | .167 | 11 |
Rules for classification: 1) winning percentage; 2) head-to-head record; 3) overall point differential
(H) Hosts
Notes:
- Head-to-head record: Lyceum 2–0 San Beda
- Head-to-head record: Arellano 4–2, Mapua 3–3, Perpetual 3–3 (Mapua 1–1 Perpetual, Mapua +6), JRU 2–4
Match-up results
Two first-round games, Benilde vs. JRU, and JRU vs. San Sebastian, were rescheduled on the early part of the second round. On this table, they're shown as if they occurred before the second round started.
Postponed games
- Letran vs. EAC rescheduled after four Letran players tested positive for COVID-19.[3]
- San Sebastian's games vs. Lyceum and EAC rescheduled after six San Sebastian players tested positive for COVID-19.[24]
- September 25 games (JRU vs. Benilde and San Beda vs. Perpetual) were rescheduled due to Super Typhoon Karding.[25]
- JRU's games vs. San Sebastian and Benilde after JRU players tested positive for COVID-19.[26] The JRU vs. San Sebastian game has been rescheduled thrice.[27]
- San Beda vs Arellano rescheduled after Arellano players tested positive for COVID-19.[26]
- Games on October 29 (Arellano vs. EAC and San Beda vs. Benilde)[28] and October 30 (Mapua vs. San Sebastian and JRU vs. Letran)[29] have been postponed due to Tropical Storm Paeng.
Scores
Results on top and to the right of the grey cells are for first-round games; those to the bottom and to the left of it are second-round games.
Bracket
| Semifinals (Top 2 twice-to-beat) | Finals (Best-of-three series) | |||||||||
| 1 | 62 | |||||||||
| 4 | 61 | |||||||||
| 1 | 75 | 76 | 67 | |||||||
| 2 | 81 | 71 | 81 | |||||||
| 2 | 67 | |||||||||
| 3 | 58 | |||||||||
Semifinals
Letran and Benilde will have the twice-to-beat advantage; with them having to win only once, and while their opponents twice, to advance.[31]
(1) Benilde vs. (4) San Beda
The Benilde Blazers qualified to its first Final Four in 20 years.[32] San Beda made it to its 17th consecutive Final Four appearance.[33]
November 29 12:00 p.m. |
| Benilde Blazers |
62–61 | |
| Scoring by quarter: 19–14, 15–17, 20–17, 8–13 | ||
| Pts: Miguel Oczon 17 Rebs: Miguel Corteza 12 Asts: Miguel Oczon 4 |
Pts: Jacob Cortez 13 Rebs: Kwekuteye, Ynot 9 each Asts: Cortez, Kwekuteye 2 each | |
| Benilde wins series in one game | ||
(2) Letran vs. (3) Lyceum
The Letran Knights qualified to its fourth consecutive Final Four.[34] The Lyceum Pirates clinched a Final Four berth after missing out in Season 97.[35]
November 29 3:00 p.m. |
| Letran Knights |
67–58 | |
| Scoring by quarter: 13–17, 17–11, 20–17, 17–13 | ||
| Pts: Fran Yu 11 Rebs: King Caralipio 12 Asts: King Caralipio 5 |
Pts: Enoch Valdez 15 Rebs: Enoch Valdez 11 Asts: Renzo Navarro 4 | |
| Letran wins series in one game | ||
Finals
The Finals is a best-of-three series. Benilde qualified to its first Finals appearance in 20 years,[36] while Letran qualified to its third consecutive Finals.[18]
December 4 3:00 p.m. |
| Benilde Blazers |
75–81 | |
| Scoring by quarter: 21–25, 29–27, 17–14, 8–15 | ||
| Pts: Will Gozum 19 Rebs: Will Gozum 11 Asts: Pasturan, Cullar 5 each |
Pts: Louie Sangalang 24 Rebs: Louie Sangalang 10 Asts: Fran Yu 5 | |
Araneta Coliseum, Quezon City Attendance: 8,284 Referees: Rey Hufana (IR), Glenn Cornelio (IR), Aaron Cañete (IR) |
December 11 3:00 p.m. |
| Benilde Blazers |
76–71 | |
| Scoring by quarter: 20–23, 14–22, 30–14, 12–12 | ||
| Pts: Corteza, Gozum 21 each Rebs: Corteza, Gozum 10 each Asts: 3 players, 4 each |
Pts: Brent Paraiso 16 Rebs: King Caralipio 14 Asts: Tom Olivario 6 | |
December 18 3:00 p.m. |
| Benilde Blazers |
67–81 | |
| Scoring by quarter: 21–24, 12–27, 21–19, 13–11 | ||
| Pts: Miguel Corteza 14 Rebs: 3 players, 7 each Asts: James Pasturan 6 |
Pts: King Caralipio 20 Rebs: King Caralipio 10 Asts: Monje, Olivario 3 each | |
| Letran wins series, 2–1 | ||
- Finals Most Valuable Player: King Caralipio (Letran Knights)
- Coach of the Year: Bonnie Tan (Letran Knights)
All-Star Game
The annual GMA-NCAA All-Star Game was on October 15, 2022, at the Filoil EcoOil Centre. Each team had celebrities and basketball legends. The basketball legends in Team Heroes were Allan Caidic and Jerry Codiñera, while Team Saints had Marlou Aquino and Willie Miller.[37]
October 15 2:30 p.m. |
| Team Saints | 95–98 | Team Heroes |
| Scoring by quarter: 24–35, 28–17, 28–20, 15–26 | ||
| Pts: James Kwekuteye 15 Rebs: JB Bahio 10 Asts: James Kwekuteye 5 |
Pts: Nat Cosejo 16 Rebs: Warren Bonifacio 11 Asts: Renzo Navarro 7 | |
- All-Star Game MVP: Nat Cosejo (Team Heroes)
- Celebrity MVP: Raheel Bhyria (Team Heroes)
Awards
| NCAA Season 98 men's basketball champions |
|---|
Letran Knights 20th title, third consecutive title |
The awards were handed out prior to Game 2 of the Finals at the Araneta Coliseum.[38]
- Most Valuable Player: Will Gozum (Benilde Blazers)
- Rookie of the Year: Cade Flores (Arellano Chiefs)
- Mythical Five:
- Will Gozum (Benilde Blazers)
- Cade Flores (Arellano Chiefs)
- JB Bahio (San Beda Red Lions)
- James Kwekuteye (San Beda Red Lions)
- King Caralipio (Letran Knights)
- Defensive Player of the Year: Cade Flores (Arellano Chiefs)
- All-Defensive Team:
- Cade Flores (Arellano Chiefs)
- JB Bahio (San Beda Red Lions)
- Will Gozum (Benilde Blazers)
- Mark Omega (Perpetual Altas)
- Romel Calahat (San Sebastian Stags)
- Most Improved Player: Shawn Umali (Lyceum Pirates)
- Sportsmanship Award: San Beda Red Lions
Players of the Week
The Collegiate Press Corps awards a "player of the week" on Mondays for performances on the preceding week.
| Week | Player | Team |
|---|---|---|
| Week 1[39] | Cade Flores | |
| Week 2[40] | Will Gozum | |
| Week 3[41] | Mac Guadaña | |
| Week 4[42] | Miguel Oczon | |
| Week 5[43] | Nat Cosejo | |
| Week 6[44] | Fran Yu | |
| Week 7[45] | Will Gozum | |
| Week 8[46] | JB Bahio | |
| Week 9[47] | Enoch Valdez | |
| Week 10[48] | Will Gozum |
Statistical leaders
Statistical leaders' averages after the elimination round.[49]
Season player highs
| Statistic | Player | Team | Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Points per game | Will Gozum | 17.17 | |
| Rebounds per game | Cade Flores | 10.07 | |
| Assists per game | Renzo Navarro | 5.41 | |
| Steals per game | Fran Yu | 2.17 | |
| Blocks per game | Shawn Umali | 1.94 | |
| Field goal percentage | Nat Cosejo | 55.15% | |
| Three-point field goal percentage | Rhinwil Yambing | 45.83% | |
| Free throw percentage | Robi Nayve | 87.5% | |
| Turnovers per game | Ichie Altamirano | 3.33 |
Team game highs
| Statistic | Team | Total | Opponent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Points | 101[a] | ||
| 100[b] | |||
| Rebounds | 60 | ||
| Assists | 31 | ||
| Steals | 15 | ||
| Blocks | 8 | ||
| Field goal percentage | 56.0% | ||
| Three-point field goal percentage | 51.0% | ||
| Free throw percentage | 100% | ||
| Turnovers | 30 |
- Notes
Team season highs
| Statistic | Team | Average |
|---|---|---|
| Points per game | 81.67 | |
| Rebounds per game | 48.56 | |
| Assists per game | 19.44 | |
| Steals per game | 8.0 | |
| Blocks per game | 4.72 | |
| Field goal percentage | 42.09% | |
| Three-point field goal percentage | 31.29% | |
| Free throw percentage | 62.37% | |
| Turnovers per game | 15.61 |
Discipline
The following were suspended throughout the course of the season:
- Brent Paraiso of the Letran Knights for a disqualifying foul against the Mapúa Cardinals. Served one-game suspension against the San Beda Red Lions.[50]
- Paraiso was given another one-game suspension, this time on their game against the Lyceum Pirates, for actions detrimental to the league.[51]
- Louie Sangalang of the Letran Knights for two technical fouls against the Mapúa Cardinals. Served one-game suspension against the San Beda Red Lions.[50]
- Sangalang was given another one-game suspension, this time on their game against the Lyceum Pirates, for actions detrimental to the league.[51]
- There were reports that Gab Gamboa of the Mapúa Cardinals was banned in the NCAA for life for being an ineligible player after being enrolled in another school (St. Clare College of Caloocan) outside of the NCAA. Gamboa had already withdrew from the team on September 18. The ban was supposedly reported on October 1. Last time while the Mapúa Cardinals wins on this opening day last September 10, 2022 at the score of 66-55 + the San Beda Red Lions will go up to 4-1 win and Mapúa Cardinals 0-6,[52] the NCAA denied that there were penalties already meted on Gamboa himself, with only the forfeiture being confirmed.[53]
- Ralph Robin and King Gurtiza of the EAC Generals was suspended for the rest of the season, while Art Cosa and Joshua Tolentino were suspended for an undisclosed number of games, by the team for unspecified "team violations". The announcement was prior to the start of the second round.[54]
- Kim Aurin of the Perpetual Altas was suspended for one game against the Letran Knights by the team for unspecified "team violations."[55] Aurin later the left the team midseason and signed with Barangay Ginebra San Miguel 3x3.[56]
- Jacob Shanoda of the San Sebastian Stags for an unsportsmanlike foul against the Letran Knights. Served one-game suspension against the Mapua Cardinals.[57]
- John Amores of the JRU Heavy Bombers was suspended indefinitely for the following acts: intentionally bumping the referee, pointing a finger at the referee, disrespecting the NCAA Management Committee (MANCOM) representative, disrespecting court officials, charging towards the bench of CSB, instigating a brawl, making provocative gestures meant to ignite a fight or brawl, and throwing punches against four Benilde players.[58]
- Mark Sangco and CJ Flores of the Benilde Blazers were suspended for two games against the Perpetual Altas and the San Sebastian Stags for disrespecting MANCOM representatives during the Amores incident.[61]
- Ryan Arenal and William Sy of the JRU Heavy Bombers were suspended for two games against the San Sebastian Stags and Perpetual Altas for disrespecting ManCom representatives, and Sy was also suspended another game against the Lyceum Pirates for leaving the bench during the Amores incident.[61]
- Jason Tan, Joshua Guiab, Jason Celis, Marwin Dionisio, Jan Abaoag, Jonathan Medina, Karl de Jesus and Christian Gonzales of the JRU Heavy Bombers were suspended for one game against the San Sebastian Stags for entering the court without recognition from table officials during the Amores incident.[61]
- Ladis Lepalam of the Benilde Blazers was suspended for one game against the Perpetual Altas for entering the court without recognition from table officials during the Amores incident.[61]
- Renzo Navarro of the Lyceum Pirates who was ejected in their game against San Sebastian Stags. Served one-game suspension against the JRU Heavy Bombers.[62]
- The three referees who handled the aforementioned incident during the JRU vs. Benilde game were placed under preventive suspension.[63]
- Coach Edgar Macaraya of the San Sebastian Stags was supposed to be suspended for one game for a disqualifying foul for excessive complaining during their game against the Benilde Blazers, but was lifted by the Commissioner's Office; instead, the referees for that game were indefinitely suspended.[64]
- Kobe Monje of the Letran Knights, who was ejected in Game 1 of the Finals against Benilde. Will serve a one-game suspension in Game 2.[65]
- Kyle Tolentino of the Letran Knights will serve a one-game suspension on Game 2 of the Finals after it was found that he was occupying the landing spot of Miguel Oczon of the Benilde Blazers, which resulted in an injury.[66]
- Paolo Javillonar of the Letran Knights was reprimanded for his unsportsmanlike behavior when he touched the private part of Will Gozum of the Benilde Blazers and warned that a repetition or commission of a similar offense will merit a stricter penalty. He is to issue a public apology and render community service "as a rehabilitative measure."[66]
- Fran Yu of the Letran Knights was suspended in the Finals' Game 3 due to a disqualifying foul against Benilde Blazers on the second quarter of Game 2.[67] Letran appealed the suspension to the Management Committee,[68] but was denied.[69]
- Brent Paraiso of the Letran Knights was reprimanded for disrespecting game officials in the Finals' Game 2. Video shown Paraiso participating in a chant badmouthing the referees after Yu was ejected.[70]
Juniors' tournament
The juniors' tournament, last held in 2019 (Season 95), began on February 1, 2023.[3]
The juniors' tournament will also be a qualifying tournament for the 2023 National Basketball Training Center (NBTC) championship, with the champions qualifying.[71] However, with the NCAA championship series being held in the same week as the NBTC championship, the NBTC decided to give the berths given to the NCAA to its losing semifinalists.[72]
Elimination round
Team standings
| Pos | Team | W | L | PCT | GB | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 8 | 1 | .889 | — | Twice-to-beat in the semifinals | |
| 2 | 6 | 3 | .667[a] | 2 | ||
| 3 | 6 | 3 | .667[a] | 2 | Twice-to-win in the semifinals | |
| 4 | 6 | 3 | .667[a] | 2 | ||
| 5 | 6 | 3 | .667[a] | 2 | ||
| 6 | 4 | 5 | .444 | 4 | ||
| 7 | 3 | 6 | .333[b] | 5 | ||
| 8 | 3 | 6 | .333[b] | 5 | ||
| 9 | 3 | 6 | .333[b] | 5 | ||
| 10 | 0 | 9 | .000 | 8 |
Rules for classification: 1) Winning percentage; 2) if tied for #2 or #4, one-game playoff; 3) if two teams are tied, head-to-head record, if three or more teams are tied, head-to-head point differential
(H) Hosts
Notes:
Match-up results
= Win; = OT win; = Loss; = OT loss
Scores
Results on top and to the right of the solid cells are for first round games.
Classification playoffs
A four-way tie for the second seed needed a series of one-game playoff games to determine the final seedings.[73]
| Playoff #1 | Playoff #2 | Playoff #3 | ||||||||
| 77 | ||||||||||
| 75 | 83 | |||||||||
| 93 | 86 | |||||||||
| 80 | ||||||||||
Playoff #1
The winner advances to the next round and is guaranteed of no less than a #4 seed, the loser is eliminated.
February 23 2:30 p.m. |
| San Beda Red Cubs |
93–80 | |
| Scoring by quarter: 16– 21, 29–20, 23–16, 25–23 | ||
| Pts: Chris Hubilla 21 Rebs: Chris Hubilla 19 Asts: Andrei Dungo 10 |
Pts: Mark De Leon 23 Rebs: Mark De Leon 12 Asts: Ernest Geronimo 5 | |
| San Beda advances to the Final Four | ||
San Andres Sports Complex, Manila Referees: Mike Tolentino (IR), Ribel Cañelas (NR), Jemar Talledo (NR) |
Playoff #2
The winner advances to the next round; the loser is relegated to the 4th seed.
February 27 2:30 p.m. |
| Mapúa Red Robins |
75–86 | |
| Scoring by quarter: 13–16, 21–18, 11–25, 30–27 | ||
| Pts: Gonzales, Morenos 12 each Rebs: Lance Masiglat 8 Asts: Nygel Gonzales 5 |
Pts: Chris Hubilla 22 Rebs: Niño Mundas 10 Asts: Andrei Dungo 5 | |
San Andres Sports Complex, Manila Referees: Totie Celeste (IR), Carlo Sebastian (NR), James Paez (NR) |
Playoff #3
The winner is the 2nd seed and clinches the twice to beat advantage at the semifinals; the loser is the third seed. This is a de facto game 1 of a best-of-three series between LSGH and San Beda.
March 2 2:30 p.m. |
| La Salle Green Hills Greenies |
77–83 | |
| Scoring by quarter: 15–16, 27–22, 16–22, 19–23 | ||
| Pts: Seven Gagate 21 Rebs: Gagate, Pablo 16 each Asts: Seven Gagate 4 |
Pts: Jharmaine Lecciones 25 Rebs: Chris Hubilla 19 Asts: Chris Hubilla 4 | |
| San Beda wins the twice-to-beat advantage | ||
San Andres Sports Complex, Manila Referees: Harry Santos (IR), Carlo Sebastian (NR), Jakeson Mabandos (NR) |
Bracket
| Semifinals (Top 2 twice-to-beat) | Finals (Best-of-three series) | |||||||||
| 1 | 83 | |||||||||
| 4 | 78 | |||||||||
| 1 | 85 | 77 | ||||||||
| 3 | 81 | 61 | ||||||||
| 2 | 79 | 85 | ||||||||
| 3 | 92 | 89 | ||||||||
Semifinals
The top two teams have the twice-to-beat advantage, where they have to be beaten twice, while their opponents just once, to be eliminated.
(1) Letran vs. (4) Malayan
Letran was the first team to clinch a semifinal berth.[20] Malayan qualified to the Final Four by having the second best tiebreaker among the teams tied for second to fourth.[73]
March 6 12:00 p.m. |
| Letran Squires |
83–78 | |
| Scoring by quarter: 17–19, 24–19, 21–12, 21–28 | ||
| Pts: Andy Gemao 14 Rebs: George Diamante 14 Asts: Jonathan Manalili 6 |
Pts: Nygel Gonzales 21 Rebs: Noel Agemenyi 6 Asts: Nygel Gonzales 3 | |
| Letran wins series in one game | ||
San Andres Sports Complex, Manila Referees: Glenn Cornelio (IR), Carlo Sebastian (NR), Jemar Talledo (NR) |
(2) San Beda vs. (3) LSGH
LSGH qualified to the semifinals by virtue of having the best tiebreaker among the four teams tied from second to fourth.[73] San Beda qualified to the Final Four by eliminating San Sebastian in the first classification playoff.[74]
March 6 2:30 p.m. |
| San Beda Red Cubs |
79–92 | |
| Scoring by quarter: 16–22, 32–26, 10–26, 21–18 | ||
| Pts: Chris Hubilla 34 Rebs: Chris Hubilla 15 Asts: Chris Hubilla 2 |
Pts: Seven Gagate 24 Rebs: Rod Alian 8 Asts: Rod Alian 5 | |
San Andres Sports Complex, Manila Referees: Totie Celeste (IR), Mike Tolentino (IR), Ralph Moreto (NR) |
March 9 2:30 p.m. |
| San Beda Red Cubs |
85–89 | |
| Scoring by quarter: 19–22, 22–24, 21–17, 23–26 | ||
| Pts: Chris Hubilla 37 Rebs: Chris Hubilla 14 Asts: Gab Ludovice 5 |
Pts: Luis Pablo 25 Rebs: Luis Pablo 19 Asts: Rod Alian 6 | |
| LSGH wins series in two games | ||
San Andres Sports Complex, Manila Referees: Glenn Cornelio (IR), Totie Celeste (IR), Carlo Sebastian (NR) |
Finals
This is a best-of-three playoff.
Letran qualified to the championship round for the first time since 2009.[75] LSGH clinched its first Finals berth since 2018.[76]
March 13 2:30 p.m. |
| Letran Squires |
85–81 | |
| Scoring by quarter: 17–22, 24–22, 24–20, 20–17 | ||
| Pts: June Silorio 27 Rebs: George Diamante 17 Asts: Jonathan Manalili 6 |
Pts: Luis Pablo 22 Rebs: Luis Pablo 19 Asts: James Ison 6 | |
San Andres Sports Complex, Manila Referees: Glenn Cornelio (IR), Joenard Garcia (IR), Ralph Moreto (NR) |
March 16 2:30 p.m. |
| Letran Squires |
77–61 | |
| Scoring by quarter: 21–18, 17–10, 18–16, 21–17 | ||
| Pts: Jovel Baliling 19 Rebs: George Diamante 13 Asts: Jonathan Manalili 7 |
Pts: Luis Pablo 20 Rebs: Seven Gagate 18 Asts: Rod Alian 4 | |
| Letran wins series, 2–0 | ||
San Andres Sports Complex, Manila Referees: Glenn Cornelio (IR), Harry Santos (IR), Carlo Sebastian (NR) |
- Finals Most Valuable Player: Andy Gemao (Letran Squires)
- Coach of the Year: Allen Ricardo (Letran Squires)
Awards
The awards were handed out prior to Game 2 of the Finals at the San Andres Sports Complex.[77]
- Most Valuable Player: Luis Pablo (La Salle Green Hills Greenies)
- Rookie of the Year: Matthew Rubico (Lyceum Junior Pirates)
- Mythical Five:
- Luis Pablo (La Salle Green Hills Greenies)
- Seven Gagate (La Salle Green Hills Greenies)
- Chris Hubilla (San Beda Red Cubs)
- Matthew Rubico (Lyceum Junior Pirates)
- Amiel Acido (Perpetual Junior Altas)
- Andy Gemao (Letran Squires)
- Defensive Player of the Year (co-winners): George Diamante (Letran Squires) and Paul Enal (JRU Light Bombers)
- All-Defensive Team:
- Ivan Panapanaan (Arellano Braves)
- Luis Pablo (La Salle Green Hills Greenies)
- Seven Gagate (La Salle Green Hills Greenies)
- Amiel Acido (Perpetual Junior Altas)
- George Diamante (Letran Squires)
- Paul Enal (JRU Light Bombers)
- Most Improved Player: Seven Gagate (La Salle Green Hills Greenies)
- Sportsmanship Award: San Beda Red Cubs
Statistical leaders
Statistical leaders' averages after the elimination round.
Season player highs
| Statistic | Player | Team | Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Points per game | Matthew Rubico | 21.89 | |
| Rebounds per game | George Diamante | 13.78 | |
| Assists per game | Matthew Rubico | 7.11 | |
| Steals per game | Cristian Vergara | 2.17 | |
| Blocks per game | Ivan Panapanaan | 2.22 | |
| Field goal percentage | Lebron Daep | 73.91% | |
| Three-point field goal percentage | Nat Fuentes | 37.14% | |
| Free throw percentage | Cirian Mulligan | 82.76% | |
| Turnovers per game | Matthew Rubico | 5.33 |
Team game highs
| Statistic | Team | Total | Opponent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Points | 116 | ||
| Rebounds | 69 | ||
| Assists | 29 | ||
| Steals | 16 | ||
| Blocks | 10 | ||
| Field goal percentage | 52.0% | ||
| Three-point field goal percentage | 47.0% | ||
| Free throw percentage | 83.0% | ||
| Turnovers | 37 |
Team season highs
| Statistic | Team | Average |
|---|---|---|
| Points per game | 89.56 | |
| Rebounds per game | 53.67 | |
| Assists per game | 20.33 | |
| Steals per game | 10.0 | |
| Blocks per game | 4.67 | |
| Field goal percentage | 42.81% | |
| Three-point field goal percentage | 29.31% | |
| Free throw percentage | 61.08% | |
| Turnovers per game | 16.44 |
