#NCAA91 The Finals Game 3: Letran Takes The Title

After five straight years of reigning in the Men's Basketball Division of the NCAA, San Beda College was dethroned by their bitter rivals Colegio de San Juan de Letran 85-82 in the intense finals game 3 held at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

Letran posted an early commanding lead over San Beda in the first period, finishing the quarter with a huge 20-12 lead as the Red Lions struggles to pick up their play letting the Knights to pull away. In the second period, San Beda were able to make a run of their own trimming the lead of the Knights just down to 1 to end the first half at 39-40

The second half intensifies as both squads are already into the game with Letran holding on to a slim lead over San Beda. The Red Lions finally were able to tie the game at 52-all, but Letran just refuses to give them a chance to lead as they end the quarter down 54-52.

In the fourth period, Letran was looking to close out the game as they were able to keep a comfortable lead at 75-67 with just less than 2 minutes remaining  in the game, but suddenly San Beda made a comeback making an 8-0 run to tie the game, sending it into overtime.

In the overtime period, it was really Letran that is controlling the pace of the game, though San Beda were able to still keep the game close it was the Knights that had the breaks of the game as they were able to finally end the five year reign of the Red Lions.

Mark Cruz was named as the finals MVP, meanwhile it was Kevin Racal who top scored for the Knights in this game with 23 points. On the other side graduating Art Dela Cruz and Baser Amer combined 29 points for the Red Lions in this game.  

Score:

Letran Knights 85: Racal 23, Sollano 19, Cruz 14, nambatac 13, Luib 5, Publico 4, Quinto 4, Calvo 2, Apreku 1.

San Beda Red Lions 82: Dela Cruz 15, Amer 14, Mocon 14, Adeogun 13, Sara 9, Tankoua 6, Koga 5, Tongco 4, Soberano 2.


* On the Juniors Division of the NCAA, the San Beda Red Cubs captured the rare 7 peat as they were able to bounce back and defeat the Arellano Braves 70-61, the Red Cubs swept the elimination round and were able to end the season at 18-1 record. Evan Nelle and Ed Velasquez were named Co Finals MVP for the Red Cubs.