The Letran Knights are back in the finals.
The Knights took charge by as much as 14 points in the fourth period and protected their lead to the finish as they weathered the Lyceum Pirates’ spirited rally to pull off a 92-88 win yesterday at the Cuneta Astrodome.
The win put the Knights in a best-of-three finals showdown with the San Beda Red Lions, who will be seeking their 23rd title in the 95th National Collegiate Athletic Association men’s basketball tournament in Game 1 when it starts on Tuesday.
Fran Yu banged in 20 points, including a split free throw in the last 45.8 seconds allowing the Knights to keep a five-point cushion in the remaining time.
Larry Muyang added 19 points, with his layup from an opening on the left side allowing the Knights to preserve their five-point edge at 92-87 and weather Lyceum’s final bid to come back.
Jaycee Marcelino knocked in 26 points for the Pirates, while Mike Nzeusseu added 19.
Nzeusseu’s split charity in the last 9.3 seconds allowed Lyceum to move close by four for the final count.
Yu fired eight points in the final canto, with his triple finding its mark in the last 6:34 and during a 15-2 burst that made Letran unreachable with their 84-72 spread.
The Knights will now have an opportunity to go for their 18th title. They won the crown in 2015.
“I give it to my veterans. Sinabi ko sa kanila that they have to put something in their game na ‘di nila ginawa nu’ng past games. And siyempre, they are looking forward to taking this to the next level. So, ‘di sila nag-give up. They had the dedication and determination to beat the Pirates,” said Knights’ coach Bonnie Tan.
Meanwhile, John Barba struck with 36 points to lead the Lyceum Junior Pirates to 78-76 triumph over the San Sebastian Staglets and into their first finals’ stint in the junior division.
The second-seeded Junior Pirates bounced back from their 74-85 loss to the Staglets in Game 1 of their Final Four showdown.
The Junior Pirates will meet the San Beda Red Cubs in a best-of-three finals affair this Tuesday.
Barba, one of nine graduating players, scored on an assist from Mclaude Guadana in the last 5.1 seconds to hand the Junior Pirates a five-point lead in the remaining time.
“Sobrang blessed kami. Nagkaroon pa rin kami ng chance pagkatapos namin matalo nu’ng unang game,” said Junior Pirates’ coach JC Docto.
The Staglets, who got a game-high 18 points from Dylan Darbin, ran out of time when Milo Janao’s triple found its mark with 2.2 ticks to go.
Guadana, capped a 9-3 run in the last 7:03 with a three-point play to give the Junior Pirates their biggest edge, 66-57.
The Staglets, with Kim Bulasa hitting 15 points, got their last taste of the lead of two freebies from Darbin, 49-47.
Two treys from Roie Panganiban with 1:45 left in the third handed Lyceum the lead for good, 56-51.