NCAA Season 99 basketball tournaments

NCAA Season 99
New Heroes of the Game
Host school	José Rizal University
Duration	December 6–17, 2023
Arena(s)	SM Mall of Asia Arena (Games 1 and 2); Araneta Coliseum (Game 3)
Finals MVP	James Payosing
Winning coach	Yuri Escueta (1st title)
Semifinalists	Lyceum Pirates; Benilde Blazers ;
TV network(s)	GMA, GTV
Duration	March 16–23, 2024
Arena(s)	Filoil EcoOil Centre
Finals MVP	Moses Manalili
Winning coach	Allen Ricardo (2nd title)
Semifinalists	San Sebastian Staglets; Malayan Red Robins ;
TV network(s)	GTV
Duration	July 14, 2024
Arena(s)	Arellano University A. Mabini Gym
Finals MVP	Laurence Pillas
Winning coach	Anthony Urbano
Semifinalists	Lyceum Junior Pirates; San Sebastian Staglets ;

The NCAA Season 99 basketball tournaments were the basketball tournaments of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (Philippines) for its 2023–24 season. The tournament was hosted by José Rizal University. There were two tournaments, the men's tournament for male college students, and the juniors' tournament for male senior high school students.

In the men's tournament, the Mapúa Cardinals finished first in the elimination round for the first time in the Final Four era. The Cardinals then defeated last season's finalists Benilde Blazers in the semifinals. The Lyceum Pirates finished second, but lost all two semifinals games to the San Beda Red Lions. The Blazers then defeated Lyceum in the first third place playoff in NCAA history. In the finals, the Red Lions denied the Cardinals their first title since 1991 to win their 23rd title.

In the juniors' tournament, the Perpetual Junior Altas finished first in the elimination round for the first time in school history. In the semifinals, the Junior Altas defeated the Malayan Red Robins to qualify to the finals for the first time, while the defending champions Letran Squires eliminated the San Sebastian Staglets. The Red Robins then defeated San Sebastian in the third place playoff. In the finals, the Squires defeated the Junior Altas to win their second consecutive title.

In the inaugural kiddies' tournament, the Arellano Braves defeated the San Beda Red Cubs in the final; both teams ended the elimination round tied for first.

Tournament format

The NCAA is expected to follow the Final Four format used since 1997.

Tonichi Pujante was reappointed basketball commissioner.^[1]

Just as in the past two seasons, men's gamedays are held five days a week, with doubleheaders on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays, and tripleheaders on Sundays.^[2]

A third place playoff will be held for the first time.^[3]

For the juniors' tournament, it is a single round robin, followed by the Final Four playoffs. Game are held every Wednesday, Friday and Sunday, with each gameday having all 10 teams compete.^[4]

Teams

All ten schools are participating.

Men's teams
Team	College	Coach	Uniform manufacturer
Arellano Chiefs	Arellano University (AU)	Chico Manabat	Kalos Sportswear
Letran Knights	Colegio de San Juan de Letran (CSJL)	Rensy Bajar	Antbox
Benilde Blazers	De La Salle–College of Saint Benilde (CSB)	Charles Tiu	Anta^[5]
EAC Generals	Emilio Aguinaldo College (EAC)	Jerson Cabiltes	Power Hoops Pinas
JRU Heavy Bombers	José Rizal University (JRU)	Louie Gonzalez	Anta^[5]
Lyceum Pirates	Lyceum of the Philippines University (LPU)	Gilbert Malabanan	Rebel Sports
Mapúa Cardinals	Mapúa University (MU)	Randy Alcantara
San Beda Red Lions	San Beda University (SBU)	Yuri Escueta	Anta^[5]
San Sebastian Stags	San Sebastian College – Recoletos (SSC–R)	John Kallos
Perpetual Altas	University of Perpetual Help System DALTA (UPHSD)	Myk Saguiguit	World Balance

Juniors' teams
Team	High school	Coach
Arellano Braves	Arellano University High School (AU)	John Necesito
Letran Squires	Colegio de San Juan de Letran (CSJL)	Allen Ricardo
EAC Brigadiers	Emilio Aguinaldo College (EAC)	Gonzalo Catalan Jr.
JRU Light Bombers	José Rizal University (JRU)	Vic Lazaro
La Salle Green Hills Greenies	La Salle Green Hills (LSGH)	Renren Ritualo
Lyceum Junior Pirates	Lyceum of the Philippines University – Cavite (LPU–C)	JC Docto
Malayan Red Robins	Malayan High School of Science (MHSS)	Yong Garcia
San Beda Red Cubs	San Beda University – Rizal (SBU–R)	Miko Roldan
San Sebastian Staglets	San Sebastian College – Recoletos (SSC–R)	Juan Miguel Martin
Perpetual Junior Altas	University of Perpetual Help System DALTA (UPHSD)	Joph Cleopas

Coaching changes

Team	Outgoing coach	Manner of departure	Date	Replaced by	Date
EAC Generals	Oliver Bunyi^[6]	Resignation	November 22, 2022	Jerson Cabiltes^[7]	January 27, 2023
San Sebastian Stags	Edgar Macaraya^[8]	End of contract	December 30, 2022	John Kallos^[8]	December 30, 2022
Arellano Chiefs^[9]	Cholo Martin	Fired	March 30, 2023	Chico Manabat	March 30, 2023
Arellano Braves^[9]	Junjie Ablan	Fired	March 30, 2023	John Necesito	March 30, 2023
Letran Knights	Bonnie Tan^[10]	Signed by Northport Batang Pier	April 23, 2023	Rensy Bajar^[11]	April 24, 2023

Venues

SM MOA
Arena

Filoil EcoOil
Centre

Araneta Coliseum

Arellano A.
Mabini Gym

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Venues in Metro Manila.

For the men's tournament, the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay will host opening day, while Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan will host the remainder of the elimination round.^[12] The semifinals was at the SM Mall of Asia Arena,^[13] along with the first two games of the finals; Game 3 was at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.^[14]


Arena	Location	Capacity
Filoil EcoOil Centre	San Juan	6,000
SM Mall of Asia Arena	Pasay	20,000
Araneta Coliseum	Quezon City	14,429

For the juniors' tournament, the Filoil EcoOil Centre hosted all elimination round,^[4] and playoff games.

For the kiddies' tournament, it was held at the Arellano University A. Mabini campus in Pasay.

Squads

Each team can have up to 15 players on their roster, with an additional up to three players in the injured reserve list.^[15]

Men's tournament

The men's tournament started on September 24, 2023,^[12] and ended on December 17, 2023.^[16]

Elimination round

Team standings

Pos	Team	W	L	PCT	GB	Qualification
1	Mapúa Cardinals	15	3	.833	—	Twice-to-beat in the semifinals
2	Lyceum Pirates	13	5	.722	2	Twice-to-beat in the semifinals
3	San Beda Red Lions	12	6	.667	3	Twice-to-win in the semifinals
4	Benilde Blazers	11	7	.611	4	Twice-to-win in the semifinals
5	Perpetual Altas	10	8	.556^[a]	5
6	JRU Heavy Bombers (H)	10	8	.556^[a]	5
7	EAC Generals	9	9	.500	6
8	San Sebastian Stags	6	12	.333	9
9	Letran Knights	2	16	.111^[b]	13
10	Arellano Chiefs	2	16	.111^[b]	13

Source: GMA
(H) Hosts
Notes:

^ ^a ^b Head-to-head differential: Perpetual +5, JRU −5
^ ^a ^b Head-to-head differential: Letran +2, Arellano −2

Match-up results

	Round 1									Round 2
Team ╲ Game	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	17	18
Arellano
Letran
Benilde
EAC
JRU
Lyceum
Mapúa
San Beda
San Sebastian
Perpetual

Source: GMA
= Win; = OT win; = Loss; = OT loss

Results

Results on top and to the right of the dashes are for first-round games; those to the bottom and left of it are second-round games.

Teams	AU	CSJL	CSB	EAC	JRU	LPU	MU	SBU	SSC–R	UPHSD
Arellano Chiefs	—	87–80	66–72	76–79	72–88	77–89*	65–79	61–85	86–111	66–85
Letran Knights	67–58	—	55–68	65–75	79–85*	69–70	71–77	63–68	86–71	59–74
Benilde Blazers	74–56	72–54	—	76–78	93–85*	81–85	71–75	77–83	87–72	86–80
EAC Generals	77–64	82–69	77–69	—	71–77	83–76*	69–73	72–86	70–86	75–67
JRU Heavy Bombers	79–74	79–74	81–84	77–64	—	88–87**	70–61	70–74	59–72	71–65
Lyceum Pirates	98–86	85–79	84–81	81–78	99–96*	—	83–87	67–62	83–72	76–73
Mapúa Cardinals	84–75	69–66	61–65	83–77	77–74	82–86	—	75–57	80–70	62–61
San Beda Red Lions	72–74	77–68	65–61	81–71	74–69	74–56	69–71	—	76–53	62–60
San Sebastian Stags	98–89	94–75	68–78	77–80	72–79	80–83	63–70	75–67	—	50–64
Perpetual Altas	81–74	73–61	73–77	86–80	72–61	81–80	53–69	61–57	75–60	—

Source: GMA
Legend: Blue = left column team win; Red = top row team win.
Matches with lighter background shading were decided after overtime.

Bracket


Semifinals (Nos. 1 & 2 have twice-to-beat advantage)				Finals (Best-of-three playoff)



1	Mapúa		78

4	Benilde		67
				1	Mapúa	68	65	66

				3	San Beda	63	71	76
2	Lyceum	68	72

3	San Beda	89	82
				Third place playoff



				4	Benilde			93

				2	Lyceum			83

Semifinals

The top 2 teams had the twice-to-beat advantage, where the top 2 teams have to be beaten twice, while their opponents just once, to progress.

(1) Mapúa vs. (4) Benilde

The Mapúa Cardinals clinched a semifinals appearance and the twice-to-beat advantage.^[17] The Cardinals returned to the playoffs after missing out last year.^[18] The Cardinals also clinched their first #1 seed in school history.^[19] The Benilde Blazers also clinched a semifinals appearance despite losing their last elimination round game.^[20]

GTV

November 28, 2023
1:30 p.m.

Mapúa Cardinals	78–67	Benilde Blazers
Scoring by quarter: 14–18, 20–19, 22–18, 22–12
Pts: Paolo Hernandez 22 Rebs: Clint Escamis 8 Asts: Mark Cuenco 5		Pts: Migz Oczon 17 Rebs: Miguel Corteza 8 Asts: Robi Nayve 3
Mapúa wins series in one game

SM Mall of Asia Arena, Pasay
Referees: Harry Santos (IR), Aaron Cañete (IR), Kenny Regino (NR)

(2) Lyceum vs. (3) San Beda

The Lyceum Pirates clinched a semifinals appearance.^[21] The Pirates later clinched the twice-to-beat advantage.^[22] With the Cardinals winning in their last elimination round game, the San Beda Red Lions also clinched a semifinals appearance.^[19]

GTV

November 28, 2023
3:30 p.m.

Lyceum Pirates	68–89	San Beda Red Lions
Scoring by quarter: 16–22, 22–30, 22–21, 8–16
Pts: Enoch Valdez 14 Rebs: Enoch Valdez 9 Asts: Guadana, Cunanan 3 each		Pts: Jacob Cortez 28 Rebs: Jomel Puno 9 Asts: Jacob Cortez 8

SM Mall of Asia Arena, Pasay
Referees: Joe Garcia (IR), Anthony Sulit (IR), Totie Celeste (IR)

GTV

December 1, 2023
3:00 p.m.

Lyceum Pirates	72–82	San Beda Red Lions
Scoring by quarter: 17–26, 21–15, 18–25, 16–16
Pts: Enoch Valdez 28 Rebs: John Bravo 11 Asts: Mclaude Guadaña 5		Pts: James Payosing 18 Rebs: Payosing, Puno 10 each Asts: Oliver Tagle 6
San Beda wins series in two games

Araneta Coliseum, Quezon City
Referees: Jeffrey Ablola (NR), Aaron Cañete (IR), Totie Celeste (IR)

Third place playoff

The first third place playoff in NCAA basketball history was held in 2023.^[3]

December 10, 2023
9:00 a.m.

Lyceum Pirates	83–93	Benilde Blazers
Scoring by quarter: 22–24, 19–19, 17–28, 25–22
Pts: Mclaude Guadaña 16 Rebs: Michael Versoza 13 Asts: Vince Cunanan 7		Pts: Robi Nayve 18 Rebs: Cajucom, Jarque 6 Asts: Ray Carlos 5

SM Mall of Asia Arena, Pasay
Referees: Jeffrey Ablola (NR), Kenny Regino (NR), Aaron Cañete (IR)

Finals

This is a best-of-three playoff.

The Mapúa Cardinals return to the Finals after losing to Letran in NCAA Season 97.^[23] The San Beda Red Lions qualify to the Finals for the 16th time, and for the first time since NCAA Season 95. This shall also be the first time the two teams will meet in the Finals since NCAA Season 67 (1991), where the Cardinals won on a Benny Cheng game-winner in Game 3.^[24]

GTV

December 6, 2023
2:00 p.m.

Mapúa Cardinals	68–63	San Beda Red Lions
Scoring by quarter: 17–17, 19–14, 23–17, 9–15
Pts: Clint Escamis 18 Rebs: Paolo Hernandez 12 Asts: Marc Cuenco 3		Pts: James Payosing 14 Rebs: James Payosing 12 Asts: Yukien Andrada 3

SM Mall of Asia Arena, Pasay
Referees: Joe Garcia (IR), Totie Celeste (IR), Glenn Cornelio (IR)

GMA
GTV

December 10, 2023
2:00 p.m.

Mapúa Cardinals	65–71	San Beda Red Lions
Scoring by quarter: 19–20, 11–22, 23–6, 12–23
Pts: Clint Escamis 15 Rebs: JC Recto 15 Asts: Escamis, Hernandez 4		Pts: Jacob Cortez 21 Rebs: Clifford Jopia 11 Asts: Cortez, Royo 3

SM Mall of Asia Arena, Pasay
Attendance: 22,465
Referees: Anthony Sulit (IR), Totie Celeste (IR), Harry Santos (IR)

GMA
GTV

December 17, 2023
2:00 p.m.

Mapúa Cardinals	66–76	San Beda Red Lions
Scoring by quarter: 15–24, 20–12, 22–17, 9–23
Pts: JC Recto 18 Rebs: JC Recto 14 Asts: Clint Escamis 4		Pts: Yukien Andrada 20 Rebs: James Payosing 14 Asts: Jacob Cortez 8
San Beda wins series, 2–1

Araneta Coliseum, Quezon City
Attendance: 23,077
Referees: Joe Garcia (IR), Jhay-Ar Torres (NR), Aaron Cañete (IR)

Finals Most Valuable Player: James Payosing (San Beda Red Lions)
Coach of the Year: Yuri Escueta (San Beda Red Lions)

Awards

NCAA Season 99 men's basketball champions
San Beda Red Lions 23rd title

The awards were handed out prior to Game 2 of the Finals at the SM Mall of Asia Arena. A new award for true college freshmen, the "Freshman of the Year" was instituted. The original Rookie of the Year award is still given to the best player playing in his first season in the NCAA, who may not always be a freshman.^[25]

Most Valuable Player: Clint Escamis (Mapúa Cardinals)
Rookie of the Year: Clint Escamis (Mapúa Cardinals)
Mythical Five:
- Clint Escamis (Mapúa Cardinals)
- Enoch Valdez (Lyceum Pirates)
- Jun Roque (Perpetual Altas)
- JP Maguliano (EAC Generals)
- Warren Bonifacio (Mapúa Cardinals)
Defensive Player of the Year: Rommel Calahat (San Sebastian Stags)
All-Defensive Team:
- Rommel Calahat (San Sebastian Stags)
- Enoch Valdez (Lyceum Pirates)
- Clint Escamis (Mapúa Cardinals)
- JP Maguliano (EAC Generals)
- Lorenz Capulong (Arellano Chiefs)
Most Improved Player: Jun Roque (Perpetual Altas)
Freshman of the Year: Jay Garupil (Letran Knights)
Sportsmanship Award: Arellano Chiefs

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^[26]	Shawn Umali	Lyceum Pirates
Week 2^[27]	Paolo Hernandez	Mapúa Cardinals
Week 3^[28]	Clint Escamis	Mapúa Cardinals
Week 4^[29]	Jomel Puno	San Beda Red Lions
Week 5^[30]	Ry dela Rosa	JRU Heavy Bombers
Week 6^[31]	JM Bravo	Lyceum Pirates
Week 7^[32]	Cyrus Nitura	Perpetual Altas
Week 8^[33]	Yukien Andrada	San Beda Red Lions
Week 9^[34]	Jacob Cortez	San Beda Red Lions

Statistical leaders

Season player highs

Statistic	Player	Team	Average
Points per game	Clint Escamis	Mapúa Cardinals	16.28
Rebounds per game	Jomel Puno	San Beda Red Lions	8.83
Assists per game	JL delos Santos	JRU Heavy Bombers	6.28
Steals per game	Clint Escamis	Mapúa Cardinals	3.78
Blocks per game	Shawn Umali	Lyceum Pirates	1.59
Field goal percentage	Jopet Soriano	Mapúa Cardinals	63.33%
Three-point field goal percentage	Marc Cuenco	Mapúa Cardinals	38.64%
Free throw percentage	Miguel Oczon	Benilde Blazers	87.23%
Turnovers per game	JL delos Santos	JRU Heavy Bombers	3.67

Game player highs

Statistic	Player	Team	Total	Opponent
Points	Agem Miranda	JRU Heavy Bombers	31^[a]	Benilde Blazers
Points	Miguel Oczon	Benilde Blazers	29	San Sebastian Stags
Rebounds	Clifford Jopia	San Beda Red Lions	18	Arellano Chiefs
Assists	JL delos Santos	JRU Heavy Bombers	12	Mapúa Cardinals
Steals	Clint Escamis	Mapúa Cardinals	8	Letran Knights
Blocks	James Una	San Sebastian Stags	5	Benilde Blazers
Turnovers	Nicko Fajardo	Letran Knights	8	San Sebastian Stags

Season team highs

Statistic	Team	Average
Points per game	Lyceum Pirates	81.56
Rebounds per game	Perpetual Altas	49.06
Assists per game	Lyceum Pirates	20.11
Steals per game	Mapúa Cardinals	10.56
Blocks per game	Benilde Blazers	4.94
Field goal percentage	Lyceum Pirates	40.52%
Three-point field goal percentage	San Beda Red Lions	31.51%
Free throw percentage	Letran Knights	70.44%
Turnovers per game	Mapúa Cardinals	13.28

Game team highs

Statistic	Team	Total	Opponent
Points	San Sebastian Stags	111	Arellano Chiefs
Rebounds	Arellano Chiefs	63^[a]	Lyceum Pirates
Rebounds	Perpetual Altas	63	Arellano Chiefs
Assists	Lyceum Pirates	29^[a]	JRU Heavy Bombers
Assists	Perpetual Altas	29	Arellano Chiefs
Steals	Lyceum Pirates	18^[a]	Arellano Chiefs
Steals	Perpetual Altas	17	Letran Knights
Blocks	Benilde Blazers	9	Letran Knights
Blocks	Mapúa Cardinals	9	EAC Generals
Field goal percentage	Lyceum Pirates	54.0%^[a]	JRU Heavy Bombers
Field goal percentage	JRU Heavy Bombers	53.0%	Arellano Chiefs
Three-point field goal percentage	Letran Knights	57.0%	San Sebastian Stags
Free throw percentage	Mapúa Cardinals	93%	EAC Generals
Free throw percentage	Benilde Blazers	93%	San Sebastian Stags
Turnovers	Letran Knights	39	Perpetual Altas

^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e Game went into overtime

Discipline

The following were suspended throughout the course of the season:

Will Gozum of the Benilde Blazers for being ejected against the Letran Knights in Game 3 of the Season 98 finals. Served one-game suspension on their first game of Season 99 against the Lyceum Pirates.^[35]
Jielo Razon of the Perpetual Altas for being called for an unsportsmanlike foul against the San Sebastian Stags on their last game of Season 98. Served one-game suspension on their first game of Season 99 against the EAC Generals.^[36]
Three referees of the first round game between JRU and Benilde were suspended for two weeks due to "failure to execute sound judgement, inefficient use of the Instant Replay System review, as well as for ceasing to assert themselves as game officials". JL delos Santos was supposed to be suspended due to an unsportsmanlike foul on this game, but commissioner Tonichi Pujante reversed the unsportsmanlike foul (and the suspension that goes with it) against the former as his elbow "did not connect" with Benilde's Mark Sangco.^[37]
Shawn Umali of the Lyceum Pirates for being ejected against the San Beda Red Lions. Served one game suspension against the EAC Generals.^[38]
Coach Yuri Escueta of the San Beda Red Lions for being ejected against the Lyceum Pirates. Served one game suspension against the JRU Heavy Bombers. Andre Santos coached San Beda against JRU on an interim basis.^[39]
Coach Louie Gonzalez of the JRU Heavy Bombers for being ejected against the Benilde Blazers. Served one game suspension against the Letran Knights. Alex Callueng coached JRU against Letran on an interim basis.^[40]