Lions foil Knights in error-filled duel, force Game 3

MANILA, Philippines - San Beda leaned on its championship experience to overcome Letran’s swarming defense and game-long clutter of errors, squeaking out a 68-61 triumph to force a rubber match for the 91st NCAA men’s basketball finals before a tumultuous record crowd at the MOA Arena in Pasay City last night.

The Red Lions seized initiative early and bucked the Knights’ series of ill-fated rallies in the stretch with resolute defense to live for sudden death as the Muralla-based squad succumbed under tremendous pressure with a series of crucial misses in the last two minutes of the tightly fought contest which drew a record 17,588 paying patrons.

The Lions also relied on Nigerian Ola Adeogun and sophomore Jayvee Mocon in offense then held the Knights to just three field goals down the stretch to pull off the scrambling victory and stay on track for a record sixth straight championship while at least stalling the Knights’ crack at ending a long winless title chase.

The sudden death is set at 4 p.m. tomorrow, also at the MOA Arena.

“We all know that going into Game Two, Letran had the advantage. We just wanted to start well and dictate the tempo of the game,” said San Beda coach Jamike Jarin.

Adeogun pounded his way to 14 points while Mocon scattered 13 markers but it was Baser Amer and Arthur dela Cruz who stepped up in the crucial stretch as they combined for 21 points after scoring just 15 markers in the series opener. 

Letran mentor Aldin Ayo, who steered the Knights to a 94-90 win in Game One of their best-of-three series Friday, rued his wards’ sputtering offensive in the clutch.

The Knights actually forced the Lions to commit a finals series record worst 32 turnovers, resulting to 22 points. San Beda also made 29 errors in Game One which Letran translated to 25 points.

But the Knights just couldn’t translate those Lions’ miscues to precious points as they fumbled in their offensives, missing 59 of their 83 attempts for 29 percent.

The Lions, for their part, attempted only 48 shots and connected 27.

The Knights also muffed eight of their 16 free throws attempts, including six in the second half.

“We shot 29 percent from the field. That’s the story,” said Ayo.