MANILA – Colegio de San Juan de Letran Knights completed its quest for back-to-back NCAA men’s basketball titles with a 75-65 triumph over Mapua Cardinals in Game 2 of the Season 97 finals last night at the San Juan Arena.
Rhenz Abando drilled 10 of his 14 points total in the second half as the Knights captured its 19th NCAA cage championship overall while also sweeping the entire tournament at 12-0.
Abando, who was hailed as the Season 97 Most Valuable Player and Rookie of the Year, also hauled 12 rebounds to earn his first-ever basketball championship.
“Gusto ko lang talaga mag-champion,” said Abando, a transferee from University of Santo Tomas. “Lagi kasi ako nakakapasok sa finals pero laging nagfa-fall short so sobrang saya ko na nakamit ko din.”
Finals MVP Jeo Ambohot ended his collegiate career with 13 points and nine rebounds, while Louie Sangalang chipped in 11 points, 13 rebounds and 4 assists for the Knights.
The Knights had been dominant in the opening half as they opened up a 19-8 advantage before widening it to 39-23 heading into the halftime intermission.
Letran’s lead even reached to its largest at 21 points but the Cardinals went on a massive uprising in the second half to come to within 65-70 on a three-pointer by Paolo Hernandez.
Abando, however, steadied the ship for the Knights as the converted back-to-back baskets to widen the advantage at 74-65 with under a minute remaining in the contest.
“Of course, we’re very happy. Mahirap itong pandemic na liga coming from more than two years na kaming bakante,” said Knights head coach Bonnie Tan.
“I don’t know kung masasabi natin na mas masaya pero mas mahirap itong season na ito compared to last season,” added the two-time NCAA champion coach.
Hernandez and Adrian Nocum scored 14 points apiece, while Brian Lacap added 12 markers for the Cardinals, which last reached the NCAA finals in 1991.
BOX SCORE:
LETRAN 75 — Abando 14, Ambohot 13, Sangalang 11, Caralipio 9, Javillonar 8, Reyson 7, Yu 6, Paraiso 3, Mina 3, Olivario 1, Fajarito 0.
MAPUA 65 — Hernandez 14, Nocum 14, Lacap 12, Gamboa 10, Pido 7, Bonifacio 6, Mercado 2, Agustin 0, Asuncion 0, Garcia 0.
Quarterscores: 19-8, 39-23, 58-48, 75-65./PN
