Amazing Knights ride to final

MANILA, Philippines - Diminutive Mark Cruz was Letran’s knight in shining armor.

The heady playmaker came to the rescue and scored clutch hits while providing the anchor of a team ball against San Sebastian’s hard-working one-man crew as the Knights snared 73-70 victory over the Stags to reach the finals for the first time in five years in the NCAA men’s basketball tournament.

The 5-5 Cruz stepped up big when their main man, Kevin Alas, struggled as he exploded for 10 of his team-high 20 points in the fourth quarter to carry the Knights to the victory before a packed crowd at The Arena in San Juan City.

It was Letran’s second straight victory against the No. 2 seeded squad as it negated SSC’s twice-to-beat edge in the Final Four to set up a title showdown with the No. 1 San Beda Red Lions.

Game One of the best-of-three finals is set Thursday at the MOA Arena in Pasay City.

The Lions disposed of the Perpetual Help Altas, 56-52, last Saturday while the Knights trounced the Stags, 92-74, behind Alas’ 43-point explosion.

Cruz, younger brother of former PBA player and UP hot shot Marvin, also churned out a 20-point effort in Game One at the Big Dome.

“I know Kevin (Alas) is struggling that’s why I tried to make the shots that I could, I guess it’s the will to win,” said the 20-year-old Cruz.

This marks the first time in five years that the Knights are going for the crown after losing to the Lions the last time out.

Game Two is set Saturday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum while a deciding Game Three, if necessary, will be played on Oct. 25.

It was a sorry setback for the Stags, especially for Abueva, picked No. 2 overall by Alaska Milk in this year’s PBA draft, who played his worst final two games in San Sebastian uniform. He made 22 points and 21 rebounds but went six-of-28 from the field and turned the ball over nine times.

Abueva, last year’s MVP and SSC’s triple double specialist who made NCAA history by leading in scoring, rebounding and assists averages after the double round elims, had committed a total of 17 turnovers in two semifinal games.

“Napagod na siguro (I probably just got tired),” said Abueva, who missed an off-balanced game-tying triple at the buzzer.

Alas also groped for form, missing two charities in the closing seconds, although he wound up with only 18 points, including 10 in the opening period.

Cruz shone the brightest in the stretch when he hit a step-back jumper and drained two pressure-packed free throws to turn a 65-66 deficit to a 69-66 edge with less than two minutes left in the game.

Ian Sangalang, this year’s MVP, had a lay up and Dexter Maiquez bullied his way underneath to put the Stags on top for the last time at 70-69 with 48 seconds to go.

Jonathan Belorio also came through with top center Raymond Almazan in foul trouble as he gave the Knights the lead for good with two free throws to finish with 10 points he laced with a pair of triples.

Jam Cortes then iced the game with another pair of foul shots. 

Cortes, who earlier muffed all his seven shots from the field, also had 12 rebounds and three assists and a block.

“I didn’t lose faith, I keep encouraging him to stay positive,” said Alas of his 6-4 team captain.

While Letran ended a run of final futility, the Knights also snapped San Sebastian’s run of three straight finals appearances capped by a championship in 2009.

San Sebastian mentor Allan Trinidad, however, rued the poor officiating, including a crucial non-call on Ronald Pascual by Kevin Alas from the three-point zone. 

“We worked hard, recruited hard and the players worked hard and the refs would only spoil it for us,” said Trinidad.