Letran seizes top seed, sends rival San Beda crashing to play-in (Sabong News)
Author
Reynald I. Magallon
Date
APRIL 29 2022
Letran punctuated its sweep of the NCAA Season 97 eliminations with a 59-56 win against bitter rival San Beda to seize the top seed of the standings before a boisterous crowd at the FilOil Flying V Arena in San Juan on Friday, April 29.
The Knights came through on both ends of the floor in the crucial moments to cap the perfect run with a sweet victory over the Red Lions who fell to the third seed and in a play-in match against the No. 4 team College of St. Benilde.
With San Beda’s loss, Mapua climbed up to the No. 2 spot which merits a twice-to-beat incentive in the semifinals.
Championship atmosphere was all over the arena as the two proud squads engaged in a physical battle from start to finish much to the delight of the crowd that was painted with Letran’s signature blue and San Beda’s bright red colors.
No team however was assured of the victory up until the final seconds as the Red Lions still threatened the Knights despite trailing by as many as 10 points late in the third frame.
The Knights heaved a huge sigh of relief after King Caralipio bothered Tony Ynot on his his last gasp three-pointer at the buzzer.
“It’s all about breaks of the game medyo napunta lang sa side natin yung swerte,” said coach Bonnie Tan. “It’s a tight game ang daming nilabas ng Beda na di naman nilalabas sa elimination, sa past few games nila. We were surprised, marami silang mas batang players pero maayos yung mga players.”
Louie Sangalang led Letran with 13 points while Rhenz Abando who was serenaded by the Knights faithful with MVP chants finished with 10 markers although he struggled against the Red Lions defense after only shooting 2-of-12 from the field.
James Kwekuteye who topscored for San Beda with 14 markers, was the catalyst to San Beda’s 16-2 run bridging the third and final frame, even capping that rally with a booming trey and a layup to take a 51-47 lead.
Letran retaliated with Fran Yu scoring a free throw before Sangalang and Jeo Ambohot joined hands to restore order, 54-52.
It was a see-saw affair from that point as Kwekuteye scored the final field goal of the match at the 1:12 mark to come-within one, 57-56.
Abando was then fouled on the next play and coolly sank the free throws to keep a three-point cushion. San Beda had several chances to send the game to extra period but came up dry in the last play with Peter Alfaro missing the first three-point attempt before the Ynot last heave.
