with a four-game losing streak but more importantly, yielding the bonus to PCU in their upcoming encounter in the Final Four. Mapua Cardinals One of the preseason favorites, the Cardinals returned with an intact lineup. After winning against PCU on Opening Day, they were dealt with consecutive loses against San Beda and San Sebastian. After winning the next two games, they were defeated by Intramuros archrivals Letran. Mapua defeated host CSB, securing the last Final Four slot. Mapua now owned the fourth seed with a twice to win disadvantage against San Beda. The Cardinals were beaten by PCU on their last game of the elimination round. Second–seed game Letran and PCU ended tied for second place as both teams having an identical 10-4 records, as a result a playoff game for the #2 seed and the twice to beat advantage at the semifinals that goes along with it was held, leading to a de facto first game of a best-of-three series. After a tightly contested first quarter, the Dolphins went on a rampage, posting an eighteen-point lead at the start of the fourth quarter. With increased taunting from both sides, the Knights mounted a furious comeback, trimming the lead to one point thanks to Mark Balneg's 6–1 run. Gabby Espinas made a driving lay-up with 39 seconds left to increase PCU's lead to three points. Aaron Aban missed a three-point and had to foul Espinas, but he made both free-throws to clinch PCU the #2 seed. Bracket Semifinals San Beda and PCU have the twice-to-beat advantage. They only have to win once, while their opponents, twice, to progress. San Beda vs. Mapua San Beda started tentatively with the match but managed to lead early at 10-4 with a Sam Ekwe put-back. After that, the Red Lions offense sputtered, which the Cardinals took advantage of racing to a 7-point lead at the end of the half. The Red Lions managed to crawl back to within two at the end of the third and it was one frustration after another before San Beda equalized late into the fourth period with free throws from rookie Pong Escobal. The Red Lions grabbed the lead for good after a three-pointer from Menor and survived some late game heroics from the Cardinals who came to within a point before good defense from San Beda and a costly Mapua passing error sealed the Cardinals' fate with 4