San Beda, Letran dispute NCAA crown
Credit to Author: Jeremiah M. Sevilla| Date: Mon, 18 Nov 2019 16:13:58 +0000
San Beda University seeks to retain its dynasty but Colegio de San Juan de Letran tries to take it down as the archrivals tangle in the winner-take-all Game Three in Season 95 National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) seniors basketball finals today at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
The Lions and the Knights go for all the marbles at 4 p.m., with the former shooting for a fourth straight championship and the latter gunning for a first crown in four years.
San Beda kept its bid for a four-peat and a 23rd overall title alive after toppling Letran, 79-76, in Game Two last Friday.
Veteran coach Boyet Fernandez’s Lions erected a 15-0 lead at the start but needed league MVP Calvin Oftana to deliver the game-winning three-point play to hold off the pesky Knights and force a title decider.
“We hope we will sustain this win,” said Fernandez, who is looking to cop his fifth trophy with San Beda.
“I thank my players and the Lord for giving us another day to fight for (the championship), Hopefully, we can show them again what San Beda basketball is.”
Seasoned forward Oftana will once again lead the Lions’ charge along with sophomore gunner James Kwekuteye and veteran guard Clint Doliguez, who stepped up with his 17 points in the win-or-go home Game Two.
On the other hand, Letran will look to get the job done this time after wasting away its stunning 65-64 win in the series opener last week.
Graduating guard Bonbon Batiller missed the close layup that could have given the Knights their first silverware since 2015 and 18th overall.
“I had nothing to say. It just went to the breaks of the game. We’ll just bounce back on Tuesday,” said first-year Letran mentor Bonnie Tan.
Graduating captain Jerrick Balanza remained optimistic of Letran’s chances of winning it all.
“I just told my teammates that we just have to stay positive,” said Balanza. “I’m still confident that we’ll win the title.”
Most Improved Player Fran Yu is expected to spearhead the Knights’ attack together with fellow veterans Balanza, Batiller and Larry Muyang.
Yu fired a game-high 23 points to spark Letran’s fightback in the previous game but was sidelined down the crucial stretch due to cramps.