MANILA – Colegio de San Juan de Letran Knights moved closer to back-to-back titles after a 68-63 escape over Mapua Cardinals in Game 1 of the NCAA men’s basketball finals on Sunday at the San Juan Arena.
Brent Paraiso and Mark Sangalang shared the scoring mantle with 14 points apiece for the Knights, which is looking to annex its 19th NCAA basketball title overall.
Rhenz Abando still finished with 13 points and seven rebounds despite not finishing the match as he went down with a left foot injury after a highlight putback dunk with 3:20 left in the third period.
“Hindi nag-give up mga players namin kahit wala si Rhenz,” said Letran coach Bonnie Tan on his prized transferee recruit from University of Santo Tomas.
Playing catch-up for most of the game, the defending champions Knights unloaded a 10-1 finishing run in the final 3:10 to secure the 1-0 lead in the best-of-three series.
Inexperience hit the Cardinals, as they could not nail the needed baskets coupled by the Knights tough defense down the stretch that spelled their doom.
“We have to keep on improving. Kapag close game, breaks of the game iyon. Either team can win, kung sino ang may gusto,” Tan said.
The Cardinals stunned the Knights in the opening quarter with outside conversions and inside operator as they zoomed to a 24-15 lead following a layup by Toby Agustin.
Mapua continued its run in the second quarter onwards but Letran showed some life in the final two quarters before finally taking the lead on baskets by Jeo Ambohot and Paraiso.
Warren Bonifacio had double-double 10 points and 14 rebounds while Arvin Gamboa also had 10 points for the Cardinals.
BOX SCORE:
LETRAN 68 – Paraiso 14, Sangalang 14, Abando 13, Yu 6, Ambohot 6, Reyson 6, Javillonar 4, Caralipio 3, Olivario 0, Fajarito 0.
MAPUA 63 — Bonifacio 10, Gamboa 10, Agustin 9, Hernandez 8, Lacap 7, Nocum 6, Mercado 5, Pido 5, Garcia 3, Salenga 0.
Quarterscores: 15-24, 32-39, 49-54, 68-63.PN
