Fran Yu delivered when it mattered most as Letran slipped pass San Beda University, 65-64, to take Game One of the best-of-three Finals—at the same time, handing the Red Lions their first loss of Season 95—in the National Collegiate Athletic Association seniors basketball tournament on Tuesday at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
After Letran called for a timeout to draw a play off of a Donald Tankoua out of bounds error, Yu dished an alley-oop to Larry Muyang inside the paint that pulled them ahead, 65-62, with a minute and 25 seconds left in the game.
San Beda’s Evan Nelle, who has been hot beyond the arc, heaved a desperation trey in the next possession that fell short. His teammate, Calvin Oftana, grabbed the rebound but lost the ball to the aggressive Yu.
In the next play, Nelle sunk a clutch floater to make it 65-64 and Letran teetered after draining its shot clock in its next possession that allowed San Beda a time out to plan their last play.
Nelle inbounded the ball to Oftana, who took a desperation trey in the last six seconds. His attempt fell short and Yu got the clutch rebound off and was fouled in the process.
Yu missed the charities but King Caralipio secured the rebound to seal the game for Letran.
“I hope they won’t lose their momentum and never let the opportunity to escape,” Knights Coach Bonnie Tan said. “Luckily, their [San Beda] shots were not falling and we stuck to our game plan.”
Edson “Bonbon” Batiller led the Knights with 12 points and five rebounds, Jerrick Balanza had 10 points and four rebounds and Yu finished with 10 points, three rebounds, six assists and three steals.
Nelle paced the Red Lions with 20 points and seven rebounds, while James Kwekuteye had 11 points in a five-of-18 shooting that went with six rebounds and two steals.
Oftana added 11 points, six rebounds and two assists.
San Beda’s Cameroonian big man Tankoua was held to seven points, but hauled down 13 huge rebounds and three steals.
Game Two is set on Friday in the same venue.
Image credits: Roy Domingo