By Michael Angelo S. Murillo, Senior Reporter
THE best-of-three National Collegiate Athletic Association Season 95 finals series is going the full route after the defending champions San Beda Red Lions survived another ferocious challenge from the Letran Knights to win Game Two, 79-76, on Friday at a jampacked Mall of Asia Arena.
Down in the series, 0-1, entering the contest, the Lions dug deep on both ends of the court down the stretch to outlast the Knights and force a sudden-death match on Tuesday.
The Lions got off to a fiery start with James Canlas and Even Nelle leading the charge.
They raced to a 15-0 lead in the first four minutes of the opening quarter.
Letran finally got its first basket and ended its drought in the four-minute mark off an and-one play from Jeo Ambohot.
San Beda continued to maintain control for the rest of the period, holding an 18-7 lead heading into the second frame.
In the second canto it was the Knights’ turn to have a fast start, outscoring the Lions, 8-0, to come to within three points, 18-15 with eight minutes remaining.
Clint Doliguez though would steady the ship for San Beda, connecting from the outside to pull his team to a 28-17 separation midway.
Letran tried to reclaim some real estate but San Beda would limit it as it still held a 12-point lead, 37-25, at the half.
The third saw the Knights getting further wind with Fran Yu, Larry Muyang and Bonbon Batiller finding their mark.
The count stood at 41-all with five minutes left on the clock.
The teams went back-and-forth after with the Knights holding a 56-53 advantage heading into the final quarter.
The slugfest spilled over the fourth with both teams unrelenting with their attacks.
By the 6:18 mark the teams were knotted at 66-all.
Canlas and Calvin Oftana then led a 6-0 run in the next two minutes to go on top, 72-66.
But the Knights answered with a 6-0 blast of their own to tie the count at 72-all entering the last two minutes.
Two made free throws by Muyang gave Letran a 74-72 lead only to be answered by Doliguez to level the score anew at 74-all with 1:14 left.
Muyang once again provided the go-ahead basket to make it 76-74 for the Knights with 54 ticks remaining.
San Beda sued for time after but off the lull they turned the ball over.
The Knights tried to add to their lead in the ensuing play only to find the Lions’ defense stopping them.
Oftana then sprinted back to their court off the loose ball and connected with an and-one to give San Beda a 77-76 lead with 14 seconds left.
Letran called timeout and had a chance to take the lead back but Batiller’s under-goal stab missed the mark.
Nelle got the rebound and raced to their court where he was fouled with five seconds remaining on the clock.
Off the inbound play, the Lions went to Canlas who was fouled.
He made his two freebies to give the Lions a 79-76 lead.
The Knights made a last-ditch effort after to tie the game but turned the ball over as time expired, preserving the win for San Beda.
Canlas paced the Lions with 21 points to go along with seven rebounds and six assists.
Oftana had a double-double of 17 points and 11 rebounds with Doliguez also finishing with 17 points.
Yu top-scored for Letran with 23 points but he failed to finish the game because of leg cramps.
Muyang had 17 points and 10 boards with Batiller adding 11 points.
“We are relieved that we got this win. It was not easy as Letran really came out prepared. Salute to my players for holding their own and refusing to lose,” said Lions coach Boyet Fernandez after their victory.
INDIVIDUAL AWARDS
Meanwhile, prior to the start of Game Two, season individual awards were handed out.
Leading the awardees were San Beda’s Oftana, the most valuable player.
His teammate Nelle and Canlas, San Sebastian’s Allyn Bulanadi and Lyceum’s Jaycee Marcelino joined him in the mythical team.
Defensive player of the year was Arellano’s Justin Arana, who was joined by Oftana, Perpetual Help’s Ben Adamos, Emilio Aguinaldo College’s JP Maguliano and San Sebastian’s JM Calma in the all-defensive team.
San Beda’s Donald Tankoua is the best foreign player while Lyceum’s Mike Nzeusseu was best foreign defensive player.
Letran’s Yu earned the most improved player of the year award.
