San Juan de Letran won two-games in row against bitter rival San Sebastian to secure the second finals berth against the waiting San Beda Red Lions. The Knights defeated the Stags with the final score at 73-70 in the last game of the Season 88 of the NCAA semi-finals on Monday.
The Knights big man were able to provide the much-needed points to secure the last finals slot against the two-time depending champion San Beda Red Lions.
The big men of Letran Knights Jonathan Belorio and Jam Cortes made some important free throws at the dying seconds of the game to survive against the Stags.
Point guard Mark Cruz made an astonishing achievement for the Knights as he scored 10 of his 20 points total in the fourth quarter. Belorio and Cortes made their two free throws apiece in the final 23.9 seconds and gave them the victory.
Letran gave a 9-3 run in the final quarter of the game after they trailed most of the time. Although Stags answered with a 6-0 run but Cruz answered with back to back 2 pointers which took the Knights’ advantage.
Ian Sangalang and Dexter Marquez hit 4 quick points to give the Stags their final lead. Stags superstar Calvin Abueva had the chance to give the Stags a win with 24 seconds left but he missed both free throws. He was given another chance with a three-pointer but missed.
Letran will return to the finals for the first time since 2007, the Game One of the Finals will be held this coming Thursday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
