The Letran Knights is back in the Finals of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) after the Knights outlasted a hardworking Mapua Institute of Technology (MIT) Cardinals in the final four. The Letra vs. Mapua game ended with the final score of 91-90 to book a seat in the NCAA Season 91 men’s basketball tournament.
Letran head coach Aldin Ayo said that nobody expected the team to be in the finals but he huddled the team after the alma mater song and told them “Masaya tayo ngayon, but we still have a job to do.’,” said Letran coach Aldin Ayo. “We’re not just happy in the Finals. Gusto namin mag-champion. (We want to be champions.)”
The final four favorite, Letran Knights will have a chance to end its 10-year title drought against the victor of the Jose Riza University-San Beda tiff.
One of Letran’s most formidable player, Mark Cruz starred in the victory pouring out 13 of his 24 points in the third quarter and added with 11 rebounds in Letran’s victory over Mapua.
Kevin Racal iced the game for Letran, which owned a twice-to-beat advantage as the second seed, after the Cardinals muffed several chances in clutch including triples from CJ Isit and Exeqiel Biteng to extend their life in the Final Four.