MANILA, Philippines – For the first time in NCAA men’s basketball history, the Mapua Cardinals and the College of St. Benilde Blazers will battle it out for the crown in the Season 100 finals. 

As both teams look to inch closer to ending their respective decades-long title droughts, expect an all-out war between the Cardinals and the Blazers as they kick off their best-of-three finals series at the Araneta Coliseum on Sunday, December 1. 

Armed with twice-to-beat bonuses, both Mapua and CSB didn’t have to go the extra mile as they eliminated their respective semifinal opponents in just one game last Saturday, November 23.   

The top-seeded Cardinals survived a gutsy stand by the fourth-placed Lyceum Pirates, 89-79, to book a return trip to the finals after a runner-up finish in Season 99.

Meanwhile, the No. 2 Blazers cruised to an easy 79-63 win over the defending champion and third-ranked San Beda Red Lions to return to the league’s biggest stage after a similar second-place finish in Season 98. 

There will be no shortage of talent in this thrilling best-of-three clash as both squads feature MVP-caliber players.

The Cardinals are led by reigning NCAA MVP Clint Escamis — who is coming off a career-best 33-point performance in the semifinals — while the Blazers are powered by this season’s MVP frontrunner Allen Liwag, who likewise put on a show with 20 points and 8 rebounds in the Final Four. 

Count on Escamis and Liwag to carry their stellar play into the finals, together with the contributions from their supporting casts.

Expected to help Escamis carry the fight for the Cardinals are Chris Hubilla, Cyrus Cuenco, Yam Concepcion, and Lawrence Mangubat, among others.

On the other side, look for the likes of Tony Ynot, Justine Sanchez, and Jhomel Ancheta to backstop Liwag and provide offensive firepower for the Blazers. 

Game time is 2 pm. – Rappler.com