By Michael Angelo S. Murillo
Senior Reporter
THE Letran Knights drew first blood in the best-of-three National Collegiate Athletic Association finals series after defeating the defending champions San Beda Red Lions, 65-64, in Game One on Tuesday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Took everything the Lions threw at them all game long, the Knights never faltered on their way to outlasting erstwhile undefeated San Beda and come within a win away from winning the NCAA after four years.
San Beda had early control of the contest but not after being made to sweat by Letran.
It was a slim one-point lead for the Lions, 18-17, at the end of the first quarter before they took a slightly wider cushion of four points, 32-28, at the half.
The joust further picked up in the third canto as the teams went back and forth.
Led by Jerrick Balanza and Fran Yu, the Knights would overtake the Lions, 39-38, in the closing moments of the frame.
They would use as it as a springboard to take a 47-44 advantage heading into the fourth quarter.
Recently named league season most valuable player Calvin Oftana and guard Evan Nelle got San Beda going at the start of fourth-period action.
The Lions moved past the Knights, 50-49, with 8:30 to go.
No team would budge as the payoff quarter hit the halfway point, with the count standing at 58-56, and San Beda still ahead.
Back-to-back triples by Yu and Balanza, plus a free throw made by Larry Muyang, after gave the Knights a 63-60 lead with 3:30 left.
Donald Tankoua pushed San Beda to within a point, 63-62, 30 seconds later.
Muyang made it a three-point cushion for the Knights, 65-62, with a basket in the paint with 1:27 remaining.
San Beda, however, would pull itself closer, 65-64, with a deuce from Nelle with half a minute to play.
The Knights tried to add to their lead but the Lions’ defense stopped them, forcing a shot-clock violation with 12 seconds to go.
San Beda sued for time to set up play but Oftana’s three-point heave failed to connect.
Yu got the rebound and was immediately fouled with two seconds to go.
He missed both free throws but the Lions failed to get the rebound before the buzzer sounded, preserving the win for Letran.
Bonbon Batiller led the Knights with 12 points with Balanza and Yu adding 10 points each.
Big men Jeo Ambohot and Muyang, meanwhile, had nine and seven points, respectively.
For San Beda it was Nelle who top-scored with 20 points but he only had one assist.
James Canlas and Oftana had 11 points apiece.
“We are happy with the win. But it’s not yet over. Hopefully the players would not feel overconfident after this win and continue to work hard for us to achieve our championship goal,” said Letran coach Bonnie Tan after their Game One victory.
Game Two of the NCAA Finals is on Friday, Nov. 15, also at the MOA Arena.
