Knights, Lions force sudden death

Never underestimate the heart of a champion.

Reigning champion Letran stunned Philippine Christian University yesterday, pulling off a thrilling 65-64 come-from-behind victory behind Jonathan Aldave’s triple in the dying seconds to force a sudden death for one of the finals berths in the 80th NCAA basketball tournament at the Araneta Coliseum.

Aldave struggled all game but came through with the basket that mattered most as he hit the triple with 3.2 seconds left to lift the Knights to the victory for a crack at the championship.

San Beda likewise foiled Perpetual Help’s bid as the Red Lions pounced on the undermanned Altas and came away with a 57-48 victory to force another rubber match for the other finals slot.

The Altas, chasing a first-ever championship appearance in 15 years, worked on an eight-man rotation and struggled all game without suspended top forward Vladimir Joe with the Red Lions seizing control early before thwarting their rivals’ repeated rallies.

The four teams clash for all the marbles Wednesday with the winners moving into the best-of-three finals.

The Dolphins, who came into the game riding the crest of a seven-game win run, actually had one more chance to steal the win but Joel Solis’ desperation attempt at the buzzer went wide.

"The kids showed why they are champions, they never gave up," said Letran coach Louie Alas.

Playing without top gun Ronjay Enrile, the Knights trailed majority of the way but refused to give up and keep the game close down the stretch.

But before Aldave took the spotlight with that big triple, it was the rookie duo of John Paul Alcaraz and Mark Andaya which kept Letran within striking distance as they combined for 29 points on top of 14 rebounds while providing defensive stops in the clutch.

There was also the gutsy Boyet Bautista, who struggled offensively but still came close to a triple-double performance, finishing with 11 points on a four-of-12 clip, 11 rebounds, and nine assists.

But the biggest hero was the 22-year-old Aldave, who was zero-of-three from behind the arc until he made that dramatic triple that sent the Knights and their legions of fans into a wild celebration.

"Masama ang nilalaro ko kaya nung pinasok ako ni coach nung huli, sinabi niya sa akin ilabas ko na yung lucky shot ko," said the teary-eyed Aldave.

"Na-feel ko na na papasok nung binitawan ko ‘yung bola, ‘yun na ang lucky shot na sinabi ni coach," he added.

It was a sorry loss for PCU which looked headed for a championship appearance for the first time in eight years after holding a 64-62 lead with 12.7 seconds remaining.

"We were playing great and suddenly we just played poorly in the final minutes of the game. I don’t know what happened, I’m still shocked," said PCU mentor Loreto "Ato" Tolentino, who drew 25 points from Robert Sanz, including two that gave PCU a 64-62 lead.