Knights go for kill

FRAN Yu and Letran College shoot for Season 95 NCAA men’s basketball title against San Beda University. DAVID JOHN CUBANGBANG @tribunephl_dvd

Letran College tries to complete its Cinderella run as it goes for a sweep and the crown against San Beda University in Game 2 of Season 95 National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) men’s basketball best-of-three finals today at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

The Knights shoot for their 18th title with another victory in their 4 p.m. encounter with the Red Lions, who are seeking an equalizer to stay alive in the tournament.

Letran took the series opener with a gut-wrenching 65-64 victory behind the heroics of Jerrick Balanza, Larry Muyang, Bonbon Batiller and Fran Yu and moved closer to the crown after four years.

Knights head coach Bonnie Tan warns his players not to relax with their 1-0 lead as he expects the defending champion to bounce back in Game 2 and tie the series.

“I just hope that they (Letran players) will not get overconfident although we have the advantage right now,” Tan said.

“We’ll just finish what we have started, but the series is not yet done. They (Letran) are the ones who are playing, if they want to already get the win, then we are here to guide them.”

Letran’s win ruined the perfect run of the Red Lions, who saw their 32-game winning streak dating back last season snapped last Tuesday.

The Knights’ defense was superb in Game 1, denying the San Beda to get its rhythm early in the match.

Yu, the league’s Most Improved Player, has been impressive in Letran’s playoff run and is expected to lead the team anew in Game 2.

Despite the loss, San Beda mentor Boyet Fernandez remains confident of their chances in Game 2.

The Red Lions’ shooting went missing in the series opener as they shot just 15 percent from beyond the arc (6-of-40) and a little over 30 percent from the field overall (26-of-86).

“We really have to make our shots unlike last time. That is the one thing that we should do in order to beat Letran. When it comes to finals, it is really how you perform for everything,” Fernandez said.

“We already discussed everything with the players. We watched the tapes and they already knew and understood. They should no longer hesitate (on shooting) and I am sure those shots will fall.”

Calvin Oftana, who will be named the season’s Most Valuable Player prior Game 2, missed the potential game-winning triple in Game 1 and is expected to fare better for the Red Lions along with fellow Mythical Five member Evan Nelle and James Canlas.

Donald Tankoua, who will also receive the Best Foreign Player award prior the match, struggled with his offensive game and finished with just seven points on 3-of-10 shooting from the field.

Fernandez also hopes that AC Soberano and Franz Abuda can contribute to their cause to avoid one of the biggest letdowns in collegiate basketball history.

“It is really the time to separate you from boys to men. Even though they are still young, I believe that they are capable of stepping up their game. I’m sure that our young guys will come back,” Fernandez said.

Meanwhile, the Red Cubs shoot for the juniors crown as they take on Lyceum in the first match at 1 p.m.

San Beda drew the first blood in their best-of-three championship series with a 94-80 win in Game 1.