Vyn Radovan | FCF
Backs pressed firmly against the wall, the role players of Letran College played beyond their roles in the biggest game of the season.
With the likes of McJour Luib, Ford Ruaya, and Jamil Gabawan playing like they run the team, Colegio de San Juan de Letran live for another day, edging three-time defending champions San Beda College, 79-74, in Game Two of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) seniors basketball finals Thursday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Luib played majority of the second half to aid the foul-troubled and hurt Mark Cruz and played point person of Letran’s pressure defense that forced turnovers against the Red Lions. Meanwhile, Ruaya converted open jumpers and sank a sensational reverse layup to boost the Knights’ morale while the undersized Gabawan manned the paint and defended well against the 6-foot-9 Ola Adeogun.
The three were the stars of the Knights’ 8-0 run midway in the fourth quarter for a 72-64 separation at the 3:11 run, averting another Red Lion fourth quarter scare that happened in Game One.
“I’m very happy for Luib, even if he does not shoot that much, he played great defense,” said Cruz, who got his fourth foul early in the third quarter but bounced back in the fourth quarter with 10 points off timely free throws.
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Cruz led the Knights with 16 points and four assists while Luib was a perfect three-of-three from close range.
“I challenged them in practice that they played tentative nung Game One, so I had to find a way to ease the pressure,” said Letran head coach Caloy Garcia. “The challenge is to trust each other, play within the system by playing good defense and be extra physical, not to the point that they’ll hurt players, but the kind of physicality that could stop San Beda.”
It was a see-saw battle in the first half, with the Red Lions lording the rebounding battle by playing four bigs and a guard for the half while the Knights playing its usual open court game. Back-to-back three-pointers from Arthur de la Cruz pushed San Beda to a 37-32 lead to end the half.
Ruaya then opened the third quarter with back-to-back jumpers while Luib ran their running game as Letran wowed San Beda with a 9-0 run.
However, de la Cruz sank back-to-back treys to close the third quarter and converted two inside shots in the fourth as the Red Lions tied the game at 64 with five minutes remaining. He led the Red Lions with 23 points, 12 rebounds, and four three-pointers.
After the mid-quarter break, Luib led the Knights charge on the defensive end while Cruz and season most valuable season Raymond Almazan did the finishing touches for the Knights in the endgame with crucial free throws and defensive stops.
“Credit to Luib, he entered the third [quarter] and everything changed for them,” said San Beda head coach Boyet Fernandez.
“Nothing is lost [for us], they still have to beat us one more time [and] the boys will be not allow that,” he continued.
Game Three is on Saturday, 2 PM, at the Mall of Asia Arena.
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