# NCAA Season 97 men's basketball tournament

The NCAA Season 97 men's basketball tournament was the basketball tournaments of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (Philippines) for its 2021–22 season. This was the first tournament since the COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines, and since 2019 after the planned 96th season was cancelled because of the pandemic. Only the men's tournament for college students was held; the juniors' tournament for senior high school students last held in 2019 was canceled.
The Letran Knights won all games to become champions undefeated, defeating the Mapua Cardinals in the finals. Rhenz Abando was named season MVP.

## Tournament format

The season will be held with five gamedays a week calendar, with two games being played in each gameday. These gamedays are scheduled from Tuesday to Sundays.
* Round robin tournament
* Teams will be ranked by winning percentage.
* Top two teams will be given the twice-to-beat advantage in the semifinals. Next four teams will participate in the play-in tournament.
** Third and fourth placed teams will play for the third seed
** Fifth and sixth placed teams will play for a berth in the fourth seed playoff, to face the loser of the third seed playoff.
* The finals shall be a best-of-three series.

## Teams

All ten schools are participating.
| Team | College | Men's coach |
| Arellano Chiefs | Arellano University (AU) | Cholo Martin |
| Letran Knights | Colegio de San Juan de Letran (CSJL) | Bonnie Tan |
| Benilde Blazers | De La Salle–College of Saint Benilde (CSB) | Charles Tiu |
| EAC Generals | Emilio Aguinaldo College (EAC) | Oliver Bunyi |
| JRU Heavy Bombers | José Rizal University (JRU) | Louie Gonzalez |
| Lyceum Pirates | Lyceum of the Philippines University (LPU) | Gilbert Malabanan |
| Mapúa Cardinals | Mapúa University (MU) | Randy Alcantara |
| San Beda Red Lions | San Beda University (SBU) | Boyet Fernandez |
| San Sebastian Stags | San Sebastian College – Recoletos (SSC-R) | Edgar Macaraya |
| Perpetual Altas | University of Perpetual Help System DALTA (UPHSD) | Myk Saguiguit |

### Coaching changes

| Team | Outgoing coach | Manner of departure | Date | Replaced by | Date |
| Perpetual Altas | Frankie Lim | Resignation | September 16, 2020 | Myk Saguiguit | December 1, 2020 |
| Lyceum Pirates | Topex Robinson | Signed by Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters | September 12, 2020 | Jeff Perlas | October 6, 2020 |
| Benilde Blazers | Ty Tang | End of contract | June 18, 2021 | Charles Tiu | December 2, 2021 |
| Lyceum Pirates | Jeff Perlas | Resignation | December 13, 2021 | Gilbert Malabanan | December 13, 2021 |

## Venues

St. Benilde Gym in La Salle Green Hills (LSGH), Mandaluyong is the exclusive venue of the tournament. All games will be held behind closed doors, with teams being transported to LSGH from their schools every game day.
In April, the NCAA announced that fans will be allowed back to watch the games at the venue for the last game day of the elimination round, the play-in tournament, semifinals, and finals, which was held at the Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan.

## Squads

Each NCAA team can have up to 15 players on their roster.
Starting this season, all teams in all sports are banned from including foreigners in their rosters. Squads were released on March 22.

## Elimination round
### Team standings

| Pos | Team | W | L | PCT | GB | Qualification |
| 1 | Letran Knights | 9 | 0 | 1.000 | — | Twice-to-beat in the semifinals |
| 2 | Mapúa Cardinals | 7 | 2 | .778 | 2 | Twice-to-beat in the semifinals |
| 3 | San Beda Red Lions | 7 | 2 | .778 | 2 | Advance to third seed playoff |
| 4 | Benilde Blazers (H) | 5 | 4 | .556 | 4 | Advance to third seed playoff |
| 5 | Perpetual Altas | 4 | 5 | .444 | 5 | Proceed to qualifying playoff |
| 6 | Arellano Chiefs | 4 | 5 | .444 | 5 | Proceed to qualifying playoff |
| 7 | EAC Generals | 3 | 6 | .333 | 6 | |
| 8 | San Sebastian Stags | 3 | 6 | .333 | 6 | |
| 9 | Lyceum Pirates | 2 | 7 | .222 | 7 | |
| 10 | JRU Heavy Bombers | 1 | 8 | .111 | 8 | |
* 1 2 Head-to-head record: Mapúa 1–0 San Beda
* 1 2 Head-to-head record: Perpetual 1–0 Arellano
* 1 2 Head-to-head record: EAC 1–0 San Sebastian

### Match-up results

* Team ╲ Game
* Arellano
* Letran
* Benilde
* EAC
* JRU
* Lyceum
* Mapúa
* San Beda
* San Sebastian
* Perpetual

### Scores

Results on top and to the right of the dashes are for first-round games.
| Teams | AU | CSJL | CSB | EAC | JRU | LPU | MU | SBU | SSC-R | UPHSD |
| Arellano Chiefs | — | 67–96 | 71–76 | 70–55 | 65–62 | 66–70 | 72–63 | 68–82 | 65–63 | 70–87 |
| Letran Knights | | — | 67–63 | 83–62 | 81–59 | 80–77 | 80–60 | 59–56 | 73–69 | 68–57 |
| Benilde Blazers | | | — | 78–68 | 68–74 | 79–68 | 65–84 | 63–67 | 71–62 | 83–73 |
| EAC Generals | | | | — | 80–65 | 70–69 | 67–73 | 81–85 | 63–60 | 60–63 |
| JRU Heavy Bombers | | | | | — | 75–82 | 56–59 | 53–67 | 64–70 | 56–77 |
| Lyceum Pirates | | | | | | — | 65–75 | 76–84 | 71–83 | 69–72 |
| Mapúa Cardinals | | | | | | | — | 68–54 | 65–59 | 95–83 |
| San Beda Red Lions | | | | | | | | — | 61–60 | 78–71 |
| San Sebastian Stags | | | | | | | | | — | 63–58 |
| Perpetual Altas | | | | | | | | | | — |

## Play-in tournament

| Play-in games | Play-in games | Play-in games | Fourth seed playoff | Fourth seed playoff | Fourth seed playoff |
| Third seed playoff | Third seed playoff | Third seed playoff | | | |
| 3 | San Beda | 63 | | | |
| 4 | Benilde | 57 | | | |
| 4 | Benilde | 57 | 4 | Benilde | 64 |
| Qualifying playoff | Qualifying playoff | Qualifying playoff | 4 | Benilde | 64 |
| Qualifying playoff | Qualifying playoff | Qualifying playoff | 5 | Perpetual | 76 |
| 5 | Perpetual | 59 | 5 | Perpetual | 76 |
| 6 | Arellano | 52 | | | |

### Third seed playoff

This is between the teams that finished 3rd and 4th after the elimination round; the winner is the #3 seed and advances to the semifinals against the #2 seed, while the loser is relegated to the fourth seed playoff.
* GTV
* May 1 12:00 p.m.
* Boxscore
| San Beda Red Lions | Benilde Blazers |
| Scoring by quarter: 18–7, 8–13, 14–17, 23–20 |||
| Pts: James Kwekuteye 17 Rebs: JB Bahio 10 Asts: Alfaro, Cortez, 4 each | Pts: Robi Nayve 10 Rebs: Will Gozum 11 Asts: Robi Nayve 3 |
| San Beda advances to the semifinals |||
* Filoil Flying V Centre, San Juan

### Qualifying playoff

This is between the teams that finished 5th and 6th after the elimination round; the winner advances to the fourth seed playoff, while the loser is eliminated.
* GTV
* May 1 3:00 p.m.
* Boxscore
| Perpetual Altas | Arellano Chiefs |
| Scoring by quarter: 13–14, 12–10, 19–19, 15–9 |||
| Pts: Kim Aurin 16 Rebs: Mark Omega 9 Asts: Jielo Razon 6 | Pts: Jordan Sta. Ana 12 Rebs: Justin Arana 17 Asts: Maui Cruz 4 |
| Perpetual advances to the fourth seed playoff |||
* Filoil Flying V Centre, San Juan

### Fourth seed playoff

The winner is the #4 seed and advances to the semifinals against the #1 seed.
* GTV
* May 4 3:00 p.m.
* Boxscore
| Benilde Blazers | Perpetual Altas |
| Scoring by quarter: 14–21, 18–19, 15–19, 17–17 |||
| Pts: JC Cullar 18 Rebs: Will Gozum 13 Asts: Robi Nayve 3 | Pts: John Abis 14 Rebs: Jielo Razon 11 Asts: John Abis 5 |
| Perpetual advances to the Final Four |||
* Filoil Flying V Centre, San Juan

## Bracket

| Semifinals (Nos. 1 & 2 have twice-to-beat advantage) | Semifinals (Nos. 1 & 2 have twice-to-beat advantage) | Semifinals (Nos. 1 & 2 have twice-to-beat advantage) | Semifinals (Nos. 1 & 2 have twice-to-beat advantage) | Finals (Best-of-three series) | Finals (Best-of-three series) | Finals (Best-of-three series) | Finals (Best-of-three series) |
| 1 | Letran | Letran | 77 | | | | |
| 4 | Perpetual | Perpetual | 75 | |
| 4 | Perpetual | Perpetual | 75 | 1 | Letran | 68 | 75 |
| | | | | 2 | Mapúa | 63 | 65 |
| 2 | Mapúa | 67 | 70 | 2 | Mapúa | 63 | 65 |
| 3 | San Beda | 73* | 67 | |
*Game went into overtime

## Semifinals

The top 2 seeded teams have the twice-to-beat advantage. In case a team wins all elimination round games, the stepladder format won't be used since the elimination round is shortened to just one round instead of the usual two.

### (1) Letran vs. (4) Perpetual

This is the first meeting between Letran and Perpetual in the playoffs. Letran qualified to its third consecutive playoffs, while Perpetual returned to the playoffs after missing out the 2019 tournament.
* GTV
* May 8 12:00 p.m.
* Boxscore
| Letran Knights | Perpetual Altas |
| Scoring by quarter: 20–17, 16–22, 26–16, 15–20 |||
| Pts: Rhenz Abando 24 Rebs: Jeo Ambohot 14 Asts: Reyson, Yu 3 each | Pts: Jielo Razon 21 Rebs: Jielo Razon 11 Asts: Jielo Razon 4 |
| Letran wins series in one game |||
* Filoil Flying V Centre, San Juan

### (2) Mapúa vs. (3) San Beda

This is the first meeting between Mapúa and San Beda in the semifinals since 2008 and fourth overall. Meanwhile, this is Mapúa's first semifinals appearance since 2016 and the first time they have the twice-to-beat advantage. while it will be the first time since 2005 when San Beda does not have the twice-to-beat advantage.
* GTV
* May 8 3:00 p.m.
* Boxscore
| Mapúa Cardinals | 67–73 (OT) | San Beda Red Lions |
| Scoring by quarter: 12–6, 13–19, 16–8, 19–27, Overtime: 7–13 |||
| Pts: Warren Bonifacio 18 Rebs: Warren Bonifacio 13 Asts: Brian Lacap 4 | | Pts: James Kwekuteye 17 Rebs: JB Bahio 13 Asts: James Kwekuteye 4 |
* Filoil Flying V Centre, San Juan
* GTV
* May 11 3:00 p.m.
* Boxscore
| Mapúa Cardinals | San Beda Red Lions |
| Scoring by quarter: 9–9, 18–15, 21–25, 22–18 |||
| Pts: Gamboa, Lacap 13 each Rebs: Arvin Gamboa 10 Asts: Nocum, Pido 3 each | Pts: Yukien Andrada 19 Rebs: JB Bahio 15 Asts: James Kwekuteye 4 |
| Mapúa wins series in two games |||
* Filoil Flying V Centre, San Juan

## Finals

The finals is a best-of-three series. This is the first meeting between Letran and Mapúa in the finals during the Final Four era, the first since 1979 where Letran won the title, and is a part of the Battle of Intramuros rivalry, so named after the district of Manila both schools are located at. Letran is in its second consecutive finals appearance, while Mapúa is in its first finals appearance since 1995.
* GMA GTV
* May 15 3:00 p.m.
* Boxscore
| Letran Knights | 68–63 | Mapúa Cardinals |
| Scoring by quarter: 15–24, 17–15, 17–15, 19–9 |||
| Pts: Paraiso, Sangalang 14 each Rebs: Jeo Ambohot 13 Asts: Paraiso, Yu 5 each | | Pts: Bonifacio, Gamboa 10 each Rebs: Warren Bonifacio 14 Asts: Adrian Nocum 6 |
* Filoil Flying V Centre, San Juan
* GMA GTV
* May 22 3:00 p.m.
* Boxscore
| Letran Knights | Mapúa Cardinals |
| Scoring by quarter: 19–8, 20–15, 19–25, 17–17 |||
| Pts: Rhenz Abando 14 Rebs: Louie Sangalang 13 Asts: Fran Yu 5 | Pts: Paolo Hernandez 14 Rebs: Warren Bonifacio 10 Asts: Paolo Hernandez 5 |
| Letran wins series, 2–0 |||
* Filoil Flying V Centre, San Juan
* Finals Most Valuable Player: Jeo Ambohot (Letran Knights)
* Coach of the Year: Bonnie Tan (Letran Knights)

## All-Star Game

An all-star game pattered after the NBA All-Star Game was held after the tournament. It included 2 teams, "Team Saints" or the schools named after Catholic saints and figures, and "Team Heroes", for those named after Filipino dignitaries and heroes. Each team has two all-stars from each school, and several male contract stars of Sparkle, GMA's talent agency.
* GTV
* June 5, 2022
| Team Heroes | 109–109 | Team Saints |
* Filoil Flying V Centre, San Juan
* All-Star Game MVP: Enoch Valdez (Team Heroes)
* Celebrity MVP: Jose Sarasola (Team Saints)

## Awards

* NCAA Season 97 men's basketball champions
* Letran Knights 19th title, second consecutive title
The awards were given prior to Game 2 of the men's Finals.
* Most Valuable Player: Rhenz Abando (Letran Knights)
* Rookie of the Year: Rhenz Abando (Letran Knights)
* Mythical Five:
** Rhenz Abando (Letran Knights)
** Jeo Ambohot (Letran Knights)
** Justin Arana (Arellano Chiefs)
** JM Calma (San Sebastian Stags)
** Will Gozum (Benilde Blazers)
* Defensive Player of the Year: Justin Arana (Arellano Chiefs)
* All-Defensive Team:
** Jeo Ambohot (Letran Knights)
** Justin Arana (Arellano Chiefs)
** Will Gozum (Benilde Blazers)
** Omar Larupay (Lyceum Pirates)
** JM Calma (San Sebastian Stags)
** Nat Cosejo (EAC Generals)
* Most Improved Player: Paolo Hernandez (Mapúa Cardinals)
* Sportsmanship Award: Perpetual Altas

## Statistical leaders
### Game player highs

| Statistic | Player | Team | Total | Opponent |
| Points | Ralph Robin | EAC Generals | 27 | San Sebastian Stags |
| Rebounds | Justin Arana | Arellano Chiefs | 29 | JRU Heavy Bombers |
| Assists | JL delos Santos | JRU Heavy Bombers | 9 | Arellano Chiefs |
| Steals | Axel Doromal | Arellano Chiefs | 7 | Perpetual Altas |
| Blocks | Louie Sangalang | Letran Knights | 5 | Perpetual Altas |

### Season player highs

This were for games played during the elimination round.
| Statistic | Player | Team | Average |
| Points | JM Calma | San Sebastian Stags | 16.9 |
| Rebounds | Justin Arana | Arellano Chiefs | 17.13 |
| Assists | Renzo Navarro | Lyceum Pirates | 4.7 |
| Steals | Axel Doromal | Arellano Chiefs | 2.1 |
| Blocks | Justin Arana | Arellano Chiefs | 2.9 |