The San Beda Red Lions are back on top of the Philippine NCAA men's basketball tournament after outlasting the Mapua Cardinals, 76-66, in game 3 of their best of three championship series to reclaim the title last December 17, 2023 at the Mall of Asia Arena. The 2023 championship is the 23rd overall for the Red Lions who last won the crown in 2019.
Bringing back the trophy to Mendiola will definitely be a fairy tale ending for the collegiate careers of Damie Cuntapay, Clifford Jopia, Peter Alfaro and JV Gallego whol will all be graduating from the team. Both Cuntapay and Jopia were drafted in the 2023 PBA draft and will soon play in the professional ranks.
Other notable players who graduated this season are last year's MVP Will Gozum, Migs Corteza, Robi Nayve, Prince Carlos and Chris Flores from the College of St. Benilde Blazers. Unfortunately for them, they failed to return to the championship after making it to the finals in season 98 against the Letran Knights.
Meanwhile, the Jose Rizal University (JRU) Bombers will lose the services of JL Delos Santos and Ry Del Rosa who also exhausted their college eligibility. As for the Lyceum of the Philippines University (LPU) Pirates, only Enoch Valdez graduated from the squad.
The Mapua Cardinals fell short in their title run this season but their ace player Clint Escamis will have another chance next year. However, Warren Bonifacio, Toby Agustin and Jopet Soriano will no longer be with the Cardinals as they also graduated.
Check out below the list of the graduating NCAA men's basketball players after the end of NCAA Season 99.
| School | Graduating Players |
|---|---|
| Mapua Cardinals | Toby Agustin Warren Bonifacio Jopet Soriano |
| LPU Pirates | Enoch Valdez |
| JRU Heavy Bombers | JL Delos Santos Ry Dela Rosa |
| CSB Blazers | Will Gozum Migs Corteza Robi Nayve Prince Carlos Chris Flores |
| UPHSD Altas | Jasper Cuevas Jielo Razon |
| SBU Red Lions | Damie Cuntapay Clifford Jopia Peter Alfaro JV Gallego |
| San Sebastian | Jessie Sumoda Rommel Calahat Alex Desoyo |
| EAC Generals | JP Maguliano Ralph Robin Nat Cosejo |
| Letran Knights | Kurt Reyson Ira Bataller |
| Arellano Chiefs | Jade Talampas Danielle Mallari Joshua Abastillas |