Letran seeks end to long spell

MANILA, Philippines - Letran hopes to finally end a decade-long chase for an NCAA men’s basketball crown, seeking to finish off San Beda and foil the Red Lions’ drive for a record sixth straight championship in Game Two today of their best-of-three series at the MOA Arena in Pasay City.

Playmaker Mark Cruz has stressed the need to toughen up on their defense, which anchored their dramatic 94-90 win in the series’ opener last Friday that moved the Knights within a victory from snapping an 11-year title drought and ending the Lions’ five-year reign.

“We’re really focused on defense, that’s the barometer of this team. We get our offensive game going on a solid defense,” said Cruz.

Drawing strength from their defense and clutch performances by Cruz, Kevin Racal and Rey Nambatac, the Knights got back at the Red Lions with that four-point victory that put Letran closer to avenging their title playoff setbacks to the Lions in 2007, 2012 and 2013 and nailing the crown they last held in 2004.

Gametime is at 4 p.m.

“Back home in Sorsogon, I watched the Knights and the fans suffer at losing to San Beda in the finals three times,” said Letran coach Aldin Ayo, who helped the Knights win the 1998 and 1999 NCAA crowns. “I want to put a stop on the Lions’ domination this year.”

That would mean putting the cuffs again on San Beda’s gunners, led by Arthur dela Cruz and pro-bound Baser Amer, who were held to a combined 15-point output by the Knights’ pesky defense. The duo also missed 11 of their 16 shots and Letran’s defense forced San Beda to commit 29 turnovers, resulting to 25 transition points for the Knights.

In offense, Ayo also hopes his talented troika will sustain its shooting form after accounting for 63 of the team’s total output while combining for all but three of Letran’s 33 points in the fourth quarter.

“This is really what we dream for – to get that rare chance of winning a championship. We’re just a win from realizing it,” said Racal.

Ayo also cited McJour Luib’s contribution in Game One – 16 points and five assists while doubling up for Amer and providing the leadership and intangibles that don’t usually reflect in the stat sheets.

“Luib has been our unsung hero and one of our best closers,” said Ayo. “He always make the right decisions and he plays with a lot of heart.

The Knights also hope to draw inspiration from the all-out support of the school, which is suspending all classes starting at 2:30 p.m. to enable students to watch the games and cheer for the team.

Letran team manager Manny Pacquiao is also expected to be back in the bench after joining the Knights in the series’ opening where he served as a big inspiration and motivation.

“Boss Manny has a busy schedule but we all want him with us because he’s such a big inspiration to the whole team,” said Ayo.

But the Lions are also going all out to spoil the Knights’ celebrations with coach coach Jamike Jarin confident of forcing a winner-take-all match on Thursday.

“You have to win two games before you win a championship,” said Jarin. “They got the first game and I congratulate them for winning it fair and square. But what is good about it is that we still have a Game Two to get back.”

Jarin drew 23 points and 16 rebounds from Nigerian import Ola Adeogun but said he will need the rest to step up and produce outputs expected of them to force a decider and keep their record title bid alive.

“We just have to play smarter and more aggressive and minimize turnovers. We also need everyone to contribute, not just Ola,” said Jarin.

Meanwhile, the San Beda Red Cubs go for the clincher as they clash with the Arellano U Braves at 2 p.m. today.