Raymond Almazan. Photo by Ryan Leagogo/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines—After Letran was left seeking for more from its bench in the 80-68 game one loss in the NCAA men’s basketball finals, help was aplenty this time around for the Knights.
In its series-tying 79-74 win on Thursday, while Mark Cruz and Raymond Almazan still made impact, the second stringers made all the difference for Letran.
“I’m happy they stepped up. Mark [Cruz] was in foul trouble but McJour Luib, Rey Nambatac and John Tambeling stepped up,” said head coach Caloy Garcia.
Luib, who was scoreless in game one, came out with six points for the Knights so did Nambatac, who only had two in the last game.
And in the second half, when Letran needed consistent effort to push the pesky Lions away — these players provided the needed boost.
The sparingly-used Luib gave the Knights a lift in lieu of the ailing Cruz, who is nursing a sore thumb and was a saddled in foul trouble in the third quarter.
“I’m happy for him, not only because he was making his shots but also because his defense was there,” said the diminutive Cruz, who led with 16 points.
Ford Ruaya and Jamil Gabawan also manned the fort effectively for the Knights against the Red Lions’ towering bigs starring Ola Adeogun.
“Raymond is only our pure center. Ruaya, Gabawan, they’re more of wingmen. We’re really short in bigs. We know they’re a lot bigger,” said Garcia of his frontline.
“But I can say their stronger, because even if our bigmen are not that big, they know how to fight.
Ruaya had 12 points, while Gabawan had five as both helped the Knights fan the lead in fourth quarter to 72-64—a cushion they needed down the stretch.
“Everybody is saying that San Beda has advantage in the bench scoring, but the nice thing with us, when someone goes out, someone steps up,” Garcia also said in Filipino.
“For San Beda, they need Ola [Adeogun] to win. He’s such a big factor for them. He’s the key. We have a hard time when he plays well.”
Both teams go for all the marbles in game three scheduled on Saturday, also at Mall of Asia Arena.
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