Letran breaks LPU press, heart

Games Tuesday (MOA Arena, Pasay)

1 p.m. – San Beda vs LPU (Jrs)

4 p.m. – San Beda vs Letran (Srs)

When Bonnie Tan took over as Letran coach last January, the first drill he ordered the Knights was the press break. 

It paid off 10 months later.

Managing to break LPU’s chocking press, Letran eked out a 92-88 victory yesterday to set up an exciting title duel with archrival San Beda in the 95th NCAA basketball tournament at the Cuneta Astrodome.

The victory was sweet vengeance for the Knights, who were eliminated by the LPU Pirates last year.

Sophomore guard Fran Yu delivered the knockout punch for Letran in the fourth quarter, either scoring or feeding a teammate for a basket.

The Knights, who advanced to the knockout match with the Pirates by beating San Sebastian last Wednesday, are in the NCAA finals for the first time since winning the title four years ago.

“I can still remember our first practice with coach (Tan), the first thing he asked us to do is the press break because it was our weakness when we lost to LPU in the Final Four last year,” said the 21-year-old Yu, who finished with 20 points, five rebounds and six assists.

Once again, the Pirates press came, haunting the Knights when they almost blew a 12-point lead in the final period.

But the constant work done by Letran with its press break helped them preserve the win in the end.

“There is nothing right or wrong with the press break. It’s just trusting the system and the boys did that,” said Tan.

Letran arranged a best-of-three championship showdown with San Beda, which swept the elims on its way straight to the finals, starting Tuesday at the MOA Arena.

Lyceum was denied a third straight finals appearance and a chance to win its first title at the expense of San Beda.

“Letran was the better team, we’ll just look forward to Season 96 and there are a lot of things to look forward to,” said LPU mentor Topex Robinson.

The scores:

First Game (Jrs.)

LPU 78 – Barba 36, Guadaña 14, Montaño 10, Omandac 7, Panganiban 6, Garing 3, Ragasa 2, Gamlanga 0, Garro 0, Santos 0, Caringal 0, Caduyac 0, Gudmalin 0, Dejelo 0.

San Sebastian 76 – Darbin 18, Bulasa 15, Aguilar 14, Janao 9, Barroga 6, Are 6, Una 4, Perez 2, Concha 2, Brizo 0, Lustina 0.

Quarterscores: 18-20, 37-44, 56-54, 78-76

Second Game (Srs.)

Letran 92 – Yu 20, Muyang 19, Batiller 13, Balanza 11, Reyson 6, Mina 5, Sangalang 5, Balagasay 4, Ular 4, Caralipio 2, Javillonar 2, Ambohot 1, Olivario 0.

LPU 88 – Jc. Marcelino 26, Nzeusseu 19, David 11, Caduyac 5, Jv. Marcelino 5, Navarro 5, Tansingco 4, Ibanez 4, Remulla 4, Santos 3, Guinto 2, Valdez 0.

Quarterscores: 20-26, 44-40, 67-66, 92-88