Knights stun Lions by one
The Letran Knights, not just the Law of Averages, have caught up with the threetime defending champion San Beda Red Lions.
After coming up as unwilling victims to the Red Lion’ 18-0 rampage, losing both their elimination round games, the Knights came out in shining armor last night, taking Game 1 of the NCAA Season 95 Finals 65-64 at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Without an import and ranged against an opponent that has dominated the league for three seasons in a row and run roughshod over the hapless field this year, roaring through 18 straight games, the Knights kept the scores low and their energy level at maximum in dealing the Lions a shocking defeat.
Even two missed free throws by Letran guard Fran Yu in the final 2.4 seconds couldn’t save San Beda from its fate as the Knights controlled the rebound and tenaciously hung on to the ball until the final buzzer triggered bedlam on the Knights bench.
Game 2 is on Friday, with the Lions needing to equalize to thwart the Knights’ bid to become kings.
Meanwhile, Jay Ynot and Justin Sanchez scored 16 points each to power the San Beda Red Cubs to a runaway 94-80 victory over Lyceum of the Philippines University yesterday to close in on the NCAA Season 95 juniors division crown.
Ynot and Sanchez, two of eight San Beda players, led the Red Cubs’ balanced attack.
Sanchez also added 14 rebounds, while forward Rhayyan Amsali – formerly of the NU Bullpups – finished with 14 points and 14 boards, and King Alcantara 12 points off the bench.
San Beda’s high school team can clinch its 24th overall title with a win in Game 2 of the best-of-three finals series at the same venue.
The last time San Beda ruled the juniors was back in 2015.
Even if they are a win away from ending a four-year drought, San Beda mentor Manu Iñigo – son of former sports editor Manolo Iñigo – said they are not thinking too far ahead.
“Malayo pa yan, mag a-adjust pa sila (Lyceum), tignan natin kung paano. What’s important is kung paano namin ma-handle,” said Iñigo, who played college ball of University of the East in the UAAP.