San Beda College, known for its structured gameplay, committed an atrocious 32 turnovers in a do-or-die game but the five-time defending champions got away with the equalizing win over their bitter rivals.
The Red Lions, relying on the heroics of Javee Mocon and Baser Amer, repulsed the roughshod Letran Knights, 68-61, to tie the series at 1-1 in game two of the NCAA seniors basketball finals Tuesday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Mocon, a second year power forward, scored nine of his thirteen points in the pivotal third quarter, when San Beda staved off a gritty Letran run as the latter grabbed the former’s ten-point lead.
“This is our contribution for our graduating seniors, that we step up in this game,” Mocon said.
The graduating Amer then fired five straight points—a fastbreak layup and a three-pointer—midway in the fourth quarter for a 63-57 lead.
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The Knights could have easily tied the ballgame but their guards JP Calvo and Rey Nambatac missed three free throws, as they were still down, 60-63, with four minutes left in the ballgame.
Roldan Sara subsequently swished an open three for a 66-60 lead and Letran’s free throw woes continued to haunt them, as Luib split his pair while Nambatac again muffed two free throws.
Nambatac, who played excellent defense against the much bigger Arthur dela Cruz, missed all of his six free throws and finished the game with zero points.
Letran had their chances to win the game but Mark Cruz and Kevin Racal muffed their hastily thrown triples.
Cruz then missed a driving layup as Mocon sealed the game with an easy layup off a long pass from Ola Adeogun to ensure the win.
Adeogun led the game with 14 points, eight rebounds, and three blocks while Mocon added his 13 points, along with eight rebounds and two blocks.
Dela Cruz, who played brilliantly in the first half, finally had a decent outing after five games, finishing with 12 points, six rebounds, and six assists.
Cruz was the only bright spot for the Knights offensively, scoring a game-high 21 points but was zero in the fourth quarter. Luib and Jom Sollano added ten points each.
The final game of Season 91 is on Thursday, October 29, at the Mall of Asia Arena.
