ANTIPOLO — Despite all the trials and tribulations they faced all season long, Colegio de San Juan de Letran not only overcame but also delivered in the biggest game of their lives.
Even without lead floor general Fran Yu, the Knights dominated in Game 3 of the NCAA Season 98 Seniors Basketball Tournament, ending the Cinderella run of College of Saint Benilde, 81-67, to notch their third straight title, Sunday at Ynares Center here.
Out of all the three crowns of Bonnie Tan, this has got to be the most challenging.
“Palagi ko sinasabi na I’m proud of my players,” expressed Tan, who was hailed as the Coach of the Year. “Mula sa third stringers namin hanggang sa mga graduating players, proud ako kahit ano mangyari kahit manalo o matalo kami.
“From the start, alam naman nating lahat na from the start, hirap na hirap kami, we had a depleted lineup. With the coaches, na solve naman natin kahit papano,” he continued.
In Game 1 which saw them win 81-75 last December 4, Letran lost role players Kobe Monje and Kyle Tolentino to one-game suspensions.
Things got worse in Game 2 as graduating guard Yu, who was the NCAA Season 95 Finals MVP, was suspended for an elbow on Mark Sangco. The Blazers won the game, 76-71, sending the series to a decider.
In the rubber match, however, the Knights’ championship experience over the Blazers showed. And it showed as early as the second quarter.
“Yung one-week preparation napakalaking bagay kasi ang daming adjustment lalo na sa rotation ng players. Malaking tulong at we trusted lang yung veteran players namin to play longer minutes. Altough nagka-cramps, natapos ng maayos,” added Tan.
Clinging to a 27-24 lead after the first 10 minutes, the Knights zoned in, putting up 27 points in the second stanza while limiting the Blazers to just 12 points to gain a 51-33 lead. During the Letran flurry, it led by 21 points — the biggest in the series.
The lead did not break the double-digit barrier.
And things got chippy in the endgame that cost reigning MVP Will Gozum a one-game suspension.
Down 77-66 with 1:44 left, Gozum was caught headbutting Pao Javillonar, a Knight he had butted heads in during the series. He was assessed a disqualifying foul.
If ever Gozum returns next season, he will serve a one-game suspension.
This is Letran’s first ‘three-peat’ since 1983-85 when the school had the likes of Samboy Lim, Jerry Gonzales, and Romeo Ang.
The Knights also raised their championship tally to 20 — just two shy of matching San Beda.
King Caralipio, who was named Finals MVP, led Letran with 20 points n 7-of-10 shooting with 10 rebounds. Brent Paraiso added 16 points.
Besides Yu, Paraiso, Caralipio, Louie Sangalang, and Tommy Olivario played their final games for Letran.
Miggy Corteza paced Benilde with 14 points, seven rebounds, two steals, and a block. Gozum was limited to just 10 points on 4-of-6 shooting.
JC Cullar and Jimboy Pasturan played their final games for Benilde.
The Scores:
Letran 81 — Caralipio 20, Paraiso 16, Monje 11, Reyson 8, Sangalang 8, Santos 7, Olivario 4, Go 4, Guarino 2, Javillonar 1, Tolentino 0, Bojorcelo 0.
Benilde 67 — Corteza 14, Pasturan 10, Gozum 10, Oczon 9, Sangco 6, Nayve 6, Flores 5, Marcos 3, Cullar 2, Carlos 2, Davis 0.
Quarterscores: 24-21, 51-33, 70-54, 81-67.
