MANILA – San Beda University Red Lions showed its poise down the stretch to pull off a 79-76 win over Letran Knights in Game 2 of the NCAA Season 95 men’s seniors basketball finals at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Trailing 59-66 midway in the fourth period, the Red Lions came up with a 12-0 scoring run behind Calvin Oftana, James Canlas and Kemark Cariño on Friday night to take a 72-66 advantage.
The Knights responded with a rally from King Caralipio, Larry Muyang and Jeo Ambohot to tie the score at 72-all before they seized a 76-74 advantage on back-to-back Muyang hits.
A three-point play by Oftana swung the advantage to the Red Lions at 77-76 with 19 seconds left.
After a Knights’ miss, Canlas upped the lead to 79-76 for the Red Lions with two free throws.
Canlas finished the match with 21 points and seven assists, while MVP awardee Oftana and Ilonggo Clint Doliguez chipped in 17 markers apiece for the defending champions Red Lions.
Fran Yu top-scored with 23 points, Muyang had double-double 17 points and 10 rebounds as Edson Batiller chipped in 11 markers for the Knights.
With the best-of-three titular showdown now tied at 1-1, the do-or-die Game 3 is slated on Tuesday at the same venue./PN
