San Beda foils Letran’s NCAA title bid, extends finals to Game 3

Red Lions’ star forward Art dela Cruz roars after scoring a basket against the Letran Knights in Game 2 of the NCAA Season 91 Finals Tuesday at Mall of Asia Arena. Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

Thee NCAA Season 91 Finals is headed for a classic finish.

San Beda gutted out a hard-fought 68-61 Game 2 victory against Letran on Tuesday, extending the series to a deciding Game 3 at Mall of Asia Arena.

“It was still a classic game. It doesn’t get any better than this,” said coach Jamike Jarin.

The Red Lions bucked a sloppy showing where they committed 32 turnovers and drew a superb performance from Javee Mocon who scored all but two of his 13 points in the second half. He added eight rebounds and two blocks.

In the second half where the Knights stayed within striking distance, San Beda turned to its defense and compounded Letran’s shooting woes.

The Knights only had three field goals and shot 4-of-10 from the stripe in the payoff period, with Rey Nambatac muffing six crucial freebies.

“We said it has to start from each person that you have to embrace your responsibility and do not allow to get beat. I hope we maintain that on Thursday,” said Jarin, nailing the victory in front of 17,588 in attendance.

Ola Adeogun led San Beda with 14 markers, eight boards, and three assists while graduating forward Art dela
Cruz extended his stay in the collegiate career for one day with 12 points, six rebounds, and six dimes.

Baser Amer also played a magnificent game with nine points, 11 rebounds, and four assists in the win.

Mark Cruz led Letran with 21 points, six rebounds, and four assists, but went scoreless in the fourth.

Mcjour Luib and Jomari Sollano both wound up with 10 markers, as the Knights went on a dismal 29-percent shooting clip for the whole game.

The Scores:

SAN BEDA 68 – Adeogun 14, Mocon 13, dela Cruz 12, Amer 9, Sorela 7, Soberano 5, Sara 5, Tankoua 3, Koga 0, Cabanag 0, Reyes 0, Presbierio 0, Tongco 0.
LETRAN 61- Cruz 21, Sollano 10, Luib 10, Racal 9, Balanza 6, Calvo 5, Apreku 0, Nambatac 0, Balagasay 0.

Quarters: 22-15, 33-30, 52-49, 68-61.

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