It’s down to the best – Lions, Knights

MANILA, Philippines - The best of the season prevailed. But for whom the crown belongs? That is the question.

San Beda blasted Jose Rizal, 78-68, and Letran turned back Mapua, 91-90, yesterday as the Red Lions and the Knights forged a third showdown in the last four seasons for the NCAA men’s basketball title at the MOA Arena in Pasay City.

The Lions leaned on their second unit headed by Amiel Soberano when their starters wavered in the clutch as they ousted the Bombers with a strong finishing kick to seal their 10th straight trip to the finals.

The victory likewise lined up San Beda for a record sixth straight championship in the league.

“It’s the biggest game of the season so far and we have to win to make it to the finals and guess what, the bench delivered,” said San Beda coach Jamike Jarin, who also proved his critics wrong.

“At the start of the season people criticized me for playing all my 15 players every game. They also criticized us for having no killer instinct and we don’t know what we’re doing,” he said. 

The Lions actually trailed the Bombers early in the fourth but Soberano took over and presided the team’s fightback before the Mendiola-based cagers watched their rivals flub their shots in the stretch to complete the vital win.

Earlier, the Cardinals opted for treys instead of high percentage baskets  and misfired in the stretch, enabling the Knights to keep a three-point lead in the closing minute. They finally hit one but ran out of time as the Knights reached their third finals appearance in the last five years for a shot at snaring their first crown since winning 11 seasons ago.

Right after the victory, Letran coach Aldin Ayo said they will not stop until they win the championship.

“Nobody expected us to be here. I told the players not to celebrate that much because we still have a job to do,” said Ayo.