Entering the NCAA Season 99 Seniors Basketball Finals, San Beda had revenge on their minds against Mapua University.
It was the first time the two universities met in the Big Dance since the NCAA Season 67 Seniors Basketball Finals.
During that three-game series, the Cardinals took Game 1, 103-94, before the Red Lions came roaring back 100-94 to send the title series into a decider.
It was the same situation the current Red Lions faced, who lost the opener 63-68 before bouncing back in Game Two 71-65 to force a rubber match.
Back in 1991, San Beda suffered a 91-90 defeat in Game 3 thanks to the heroics of one Benny Cheng.
History though won’t repeat itself two decades later as the Red Lions finished off the Cardinals, 76-66, to win their 23rd overall title in the sport.
And Red Lions team manager Jude Roque paid tribute to the team of 1991 after the game.
(C) PH Sports Bureau
“We dedicate this championship to our friend and former King Lion, Boybits Victoria, who passed away early this year, and his teammate Vincent Largo. We know that they are proud of this achievement. They will always be in our hearts.”
Victoria passed away last March 1 due to a heart attack. On May 23, Largo also passed away.
Victoria averaged 25 points per game in the title series versus Mapua.
Other members of the 1991 team were team captain and season MVP Tony Valeriano, Teddy Alamarez, Merwin Castelo, Ronald Dionisio, Ares Salud, Cornelio Manucat, Ato Morano, Edwin Manabat, Ricardo Vince Zepeda, Jomil Espina, Rommel Saga, Alan Giron, and Paul Garcia.
The head coach of the team was Orly Castelo.
