Letran ends SBU’s 18-game winning run, nears NCAA crown

Credit to Author: Tempo Desk| Date: Wed, 13 Nov 2019 03:49:49 +0000

By Waylon Galvez

Games Friday

(Mall of Asia Arena Pasay City)

1 p.m. – Lyceum vs San Beda (Jrs)

3 p.m. – Awarding Ceremony

4 p.m. – Letran San Beda vs (Srs)

Letran rode on the heroics of Fran Yu and outlasted erstwhile unbeaten San Beda University, 65-64, in Game 1 of the NCAA best-of-three finals series Tuesday night at the Mall of Asia (MOA) Arena in Pasay City.

Yu, a third year point guard who was the hero in Letran’s win against No. 2 seed Lyceum in the stepladder playoffs last week, made the crucial plays on both ends.

Letran’s Fran Yu (right) celebrates with teammate Bonbon Batiller in the NCAA Season 95 Finals Game 1 against San Beda at Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay. (Rio Deluvio)

Yu’s assist on Larry Muyang for an easy basket inside the shaded lane gave the Knights a 65-62 lead with 1:27 left in the game. He followed that up with a steal on Calvin Oftana.

San Beda cut the deficit to just one point when Evan Nelle converted a layup to make it 65-64 with 37.5 seconds left.

The biggest play Yu made came when he collared the rebound after Oftana missed a three-point shot. Fouled by Evan Nelle, he muffed his first foul shot, and intentionally missed the second as time expired which triggered a wild celebration.

Letran players celebrated the victory at center court as the Knights snapped their rival’s 18-0 perfect winning streak during the elimination round that propelled the Red Lions to the finals series outright.

Yu finished with 10 points while graduating players Bonbon Batiller and Jerrick Balanza scored 12 and 10 points, respectively.

Letran’s win gave the school a 1-0 record in the title showdown, or just a victory away from winning it all after bagging the championship back in 2015 under then mentor Aldin Ayo.

Despite the win, Letran’s first year mentor Bonnie Tan refused to be swayed.

“One game pa lang naman. We are happy for the win, pero hindi pa din tapos ito,” said Tan. “Although we have the momentum, nakuha namin ang Game 1, sana hindi na pakawala ng players ko.”

“Sila naman ang naglalaro. Kung gusto nila, kunin nila (championship in Game 2). Kami we’re just here (as coaches) to guide. I told the players to play for the school, the alma
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